Michael Moffett

Michael Moffett is an American shock artist.^[1] and realistic sculptor raised in New York City and Sarasota, Florida.^[1] He has spent much of his career in Cocoa Beach, Florida.^[2] He is known for his two-part, life-sized, hyper-realistic sculpture of a homeless veteran in a wheelchair looking at a second sculpture of a man's torso mounted on a tiny military tank with a gun to his head titled the Portable War Memorial.^[1] The piece deals with PTSD and veteran suicide.^[1] Many of his bronze sculptures merge human figures and industrial machines.^[3]^[1] His body casts of numerous human models are made with various materials, including resin and silicone.^[1]

Education

In 1969, Moffett served as a Marine corp radio operator along the Ho Chi Minh Trail,^[4] in Vietnam. Those combat experiences tinged much of his work. Later he attended Ringling School of Art and Design^[5] in Sarasota and Palomar College^[1] in California, majoring in Fine Arts before working as a professional welder in his own studio for several years.^[4]

Career and Style

Around 1979, Moffett started casting in polyester resins, epoxies, and silicone rubber.^[6] His hyper-realistic sculpture could be compared to Duane Hanson and John De Andrea. Many of his paintings feature strong social commentary, including satirical advertising slogans.^[7]

He also formerly taught sculpture at the Maitland Art Center, Maitland, Florida, from 2018 to 2022^[8]

Controversy

After being commissioned to create a bronze drinking fountain for the City of Cocoa, Florida, and the local art community, Moffett created the sculpture titled Fountainhead.^[1] The drinking fountain included giant, mismatched feet, dangling hands and breasts, with a water spout spewing from its vampire-fang, tipped lips.^[1] Upon its unveiling, the mayor of Cocoa quickly decommissioned ^[9] and banned the piece from the city. It is currently on tour.^[10]

Exhibitions & Awards

Clio Art Fair in Manhattan, NY ^[11](2019)

A Soldier's Home Show at Art & History Museums - Maitland Art Center, Maitland, FL (2018)^[12]

Orange, Fresh Squeezed Florida Artist in the Big Apple, The Bishop Gallery, Brooklyn, NY (2017)^[4]

Best in Show, Fountainhead, Orlando Museum of Art (2013)^[4]

Best in Sculpture at Disney Festival of Masters, the Altar (1979)^[13]

Best in Show, No. 1,^[2] The Sarasota Art Association,^[14] now Art Center Sarasota, (1970)

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Cox, Billy (9 November 2017). "Sculpture Shock". Herald Tribune. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
^ ^a ^b Benbow, Charles (25 December 1970). "12- Year-Olds art Most Original". Tampa Bay Times. p. 75. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
^ Gabriel, Joan (19 September 1982). "BCC's new gallery hosts show of contrasts". Florida Today. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Sonnerberg, Maria (5 Oct 2017). "Moffett's art depicts pain, repercussions of Vietnam War". Viera Voice. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
^ Pirani, Jessica (10 January 2017). "Artist Spotlight: Michael Moffett". Artborne Magazine. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
^ Palm, Matthew J. (13 November 2018). "Veterans explore art and war at A&H Museums". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
^ "Moffett Art - Shock Artist Michael Moffett of Cocoa Beach". WUCF artisodes. 18 August 2017.
^ "Faculty". Art and History Maitland. 21 July 2022. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ "Village seeks a fountain". Florida Today. 24 November 1980. pp. 1D.
^ Cox, Billy (26 May 1981). "Fountainhead Controversial sculpture finds a home". Florida Today. pp. 1D. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
^ "Clio Art Fair". Sam Heydt. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
^ "Soldier's Home: Veterans' Art in Central Florida". Art and History Museum. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
^ Clark, Amy (22 Oct 1980). "11 Brevard artist make 'Masters'". Florida Today. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
^ Benbow, Charles (25 December 1970). ""12-Year-Old's Art Most Original"". Tampa Bay Times. pp. 8D. Retrieved 21 July 2022.

[:0-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Cox, Billy (9 November 2017). "Sculpture Shock". Herald Tribune. Retrieved 21 July 2022.

[:1-2] Benbow, Charles (25 December 1970). "12- Year-Olds art Most Original". Tampa Bay Times. p. 75. Retrieved 18 July 2022.

[3] Gabriel, Joan (19 September 1982). "BCC's new gallery hosts show of contrasts". Florida Today. Retrieved 20 July 2022.

[:2-4] Sonnerberg, Maria (5 Oct 2017). "Moffett's art depicts pain, repercussions of Vietnam War". Viera Voice. Retrieved 21 July 2022.

[5] Pirani, Jessica (10 January 2017). "Artist Spotlight: Michael Moffett". Artborne Magazine. Retrieved 20 July 2022.

[6] Palm, Matthew J. (13 November 2018). "Veterans explore art and war at A&H Museums". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 20 July 2022.

[7] "Moffett Art - Shock Artist Michael Moffett of Cocoa Beach". WUCF artisodes. 18 August 2017.

[8] "Faculty". Art and History Maitland. 21 July 2022. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

[9] "Village seeks a fountain". Florida Today. 24 November 1980. pp. 1D.

[10] Cox, Billy (26 May 1981). "Fountainhead Controversial sculpture finds a home". Florida Today. pp. 1D. Retrieved 21 July 2022.

[11] "Clio Art Fair". Sam Heydt. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.

[12] "Soldier's Home: Veterans' Art in Central Florida". Art and History Museum. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.

[13] Clark, Amy (22 Oct 1980). "11 Brevard artist make 'Masters'". Florida Today. Retrieved 21 July 2022.

[14] Benbow, Charles (25 December 1970). ""12-Year-Old's Art Most Original"". Tampa Bay Times. pp. 8D. Retrieved 21 July 2022.

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