MICHAEL COMBS
The Wish, 2008
wood, urethane, resin, vinyl, and aluminum
58 x 58 x 128 inches
MICHAEL COMBS
Big Baller, 2011
Longhorn - urethane foam, polyester resin, vinyl, pins
65 x 38 x 45 inches
MICHAEL COMBS
Adam, 2013
Linden wood, birch branches, and deer antlers
11.5 x 11.5 x 11.5 inches
MICHAEL COMBS
Head of State, 2011
urethane foam, polyester resin, vinyl, pins
48 x 32 x 21 inches
MICHAEL COMBS
Ages Three and Up, 2003
wood, oils, and motorcycle springs
48 x 48 x 27 inches
MICHAEL COMBS
Heavy Bag, 2011
vinyl and alligator skin
37 x 17 x 13 inches
MICHAEL COMBS
Man Up, 2011
Lincoln Logs, rubber cladding, suspenders
55 x 15 x 10 inches
MICHAEL COMBS
Stick and Jab, 2011
birch branches, urethane foam, alligator skin, vinyl skin
19 x 30 x 34 inches
MICHAEL COMBS
Trophy, 2000
carved wood, pyrography, and paint
18 x 18 x 36 inches
MICHAEL COMBS
Wild Card, 2011
urethane foam, polyester resin, vinyl, pins
32 x 21 x 17 inches
MICHAEL COMBS
Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, 2006
wood, paint, and 1880 porcelain bed pans
36 x 18 x 13 inches
MICHAEL COMBS
The Evolution of Desire, 2006
archival print mounted on plexi
60 x 30 inches
JONATHAN FERRARA GALLERY is proud to announce Game Room, an exhibition of new sculpture by artist MICHAEL COMBS. The exhibition will run March 27th - May 19th, 2012 with artist receptions on Saturday, April 7th and Saturday, March 5th, from 6-9pm.
Man's relationship to nature isn't always pretty. I often dissect the absurdity of what we do, for example the lengths in which we go for power, security, or sex. I find it extremely similar to what happens in the animal kingdom. I am interested in what makes us tick, the ways in which our contradictions pose a threat to ourselves and our world, and how dangerous we are to our environment. Out of my knowledge and attraction for nature and hunting, I can unearth the issues and create personal visions that explore them in their lurid and sometimes ludicrous complexity.
-Michael Combs
MICHAEL COMBS uses familiar elements of Americana and materials reminiscent of masculine icons such as Hemingway and Roosevelt. His football helmets, punching bags, and sports equipment illustrate another boyhood obsession, and are symbolic of how the west was won within the context of an infamous sports rivalry. The equipment acts as another example of the societal need for acceptance and a reminder that sometimes it's best to be all that you can't be.
Growing up on Long Island's East End, Combs was raised by generations of hunters, fishermen, boat builders, and decoy makers. Instead of becoming an avid hunter himself, the upbringing ignited his passion for nature and position against the vanity of the sport.
Michael Combs lives and works in New York. He has a MFA from the School of Visual Arts. He has shown at galleries and museums throughout the US. In 2005, Combs had a solo exhibition at the Parrish Art Museum entitled The Trophy Room where he transformed gallery space into an immersive display of sculpted hunting conquests. He is scheduled for an upcoming solo exhibition at 21c Museum later this year.
His work has been featured in Sculpture magazine, ARTNews, The New York Times, The New Yorker, Hamptons Magazine, Newsday, Art in America, and ArtForum.
His selected collections include Parrish Art Museum, 21C Museum, Beth Rudin Dewoody, Klaus Kertess, and Marianne Boesky.
