Santiago Michalek
305 Main Street, Park City, UT
(435) 649.8160
info@meyergallery.com
December 16th –January 7th
from garage to gallery An intimate connection to a work of art can be much like a relationship with an old car, at least for Utah artist Santiago Michalek. Michalek, who previously owned a business restoring vintage Volkswagen bugs and buses, is fascinated by the emotional attachment and nostalgia that we often place on old vehicles. His first career found him connecting with people over stories and experiences with the cars in his shop. His current work as a painter does the same; except instead of using wrenches and welders, he’s switched to paint and canvas to revive the narratives that exist under rusted metal frames and worn out engines. “I heard such intimate stories and memories while working on these cars,” says Michalek. “And I’ve realized the same connections are now happening through my paintings.”
Santiago Michalek’s Annual Solo Show at Meyer Gallery will showcase the artist’s work over the past year, which continues his vintage transportation theme. While the Volkswagen is the subject that guided Michalek’s transition into full-time painting, his imagery extends to trains, motorcycles, ships and more. “The Volkswagen was my connection,” says the artist. “But everybody has their own experience, whether it’s a tractor, fishing boat or steam engine. Now I paint these things and I instantly have a connection with someone I’ve never met before.” More recently Michalek has begun to incorporate figures into his work, which will be apparent in this year’s solo show. The presence of the figure, whether it’s a railroad engineer or a self-portrait of Michalek in
his shop, further establishes the human connection that is the true subject of his work. Michalek began drawing at a young age and painted even while working full-time restoring cars. His early influences were figureative painters; it was the genre he found the most challenging and complex. Michalek continues to feel this way today, likening his soulful machine paintings to human portraiture. “If eighty years from now I’m still painting, I’ll probably be painting the figure,” admits Michalek. “The mechanical, industrial aspect will be a big part of it, but as I evolve the figure will have a much bigger presence.” Meyer Gallery, owned by Susan Meyer, was established in 1965 by Darrell and Gerry Meyer. Since it’s foundation as one of Park City’s premier art
galleries, Meyer Gallery has grown to become one of Utah’s leading contemporary art icons. Located at 305 Main Street in an 1890 Historic Landmark Building, the gallery is committed to showcasing Utah’s exciting emerging talent as well as mid-career to established artists from across the region. Gallery artists work in a variety of mediums and styles, from contemporary realism to abstraction.
- kelly skeen
Fire Engine 12”x 24”, oil
Indian 12”x 24”, oil
4328 Engine 12”x 24”, oil
Train 93 20”x 20”, oil
Gypsy Wagon 30”x 40”, oil
Welder 30”x 30”, oil
Field Drafts 36”x 40”, oil
Surf Bug 36”x 40”, oil
Beach Woody 31”x 48”, oil
Wabash 48”x 48”, oil
Wolfsburg Bus 55”x 48”, oil
The Moment 48”x 48”, oil
Mountain Pass 48”x 60”, oil
Locomotive 40 48”x 96”, oil