Michael Irwin Art

                        MICHAEL IRWIN

My artistic journey has always been fueled by a fascination with contrasts—between humanity and nature, permanence and impermanence, reverence and exploitation. Early in my career, I explored the tension between the Chumash people’s deep connection to the Santa Barbara Channel and the industrial encroachments of oil platforms, symbols of capitalistic pursuit and environmental disruption. My work during this period utilized shaped, three-dimensional canvases and mixed-media constructions from found objects such as airplane wings, traffic signs, and industrial scrap, transforming these remnants into painterly, illusionistic sculptures. These pieces spoke of a collision between memory and progress, evoking themes of decline and resilience.

Today, my work has evolved toward a deeper meditation on connection and renewal. Living and working in Santa Barbara for over forty years, I’ve drawn constant inspiration from the region’s extraordinary natural abundance. The meeting of ocean, mountains, and sky serves as a reminder of the tranquility and joy that come from being part of something larger. In this era of overstimulation, climate-driven disasters, and political division, my current pieces aim to rekindle a sense of balance and optimism—a reconnection to the quiet wisdom of the natural world.

My process remains intuitive and exploratory, grounded in a love for materials and the stories they carry. Aluminum, wood, and steel—all burnished, shaped, and layered—become vessels for themes of transformation. I strive to capture a sense of urgency and hope in my work, believing that art, at its best, serves as both a personal narrative and a broader dialogue about the shared experiences of time, memory, and possibility.

For over two decades, I have taught sculpture, painting, and drawing, inviting students to engage with their own visions and subconscious connections. My role as an educator has further fueled my belief that art is a shared language, capable of bridging boundaries and sparking dialogue. Whether through abstract shapes or evocative textures, I aim to create work that both challenges and uplifts—reminders of our collective humanity and the fleeting, fragile beauty of the world we inhabit.

EDUCATION
1976-79 University of California, Santa Barbara, CA - MFA Degree
1970-71 University of California, Santa Barbara, CA -BA Degree
1969-70 University of California, Irvine, CA - Undergraduate Studies
1967-68 Orange Coast Community College, Costa Mesa, CA - AA Degree

CREDENTIALS
1974 Community College Credential in Art - State of California
1972 Standard Secondary Teaching Credential - State of California
University of California, Santa Barbara, CA

EXPERIENCE
1996-1999 Art Instructor
Santa Barbara City College
1994-96 Visiting Lecturer / Art Studio
University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
1972-2015 Art Instructor
Santa Barbara County Schools, Santa Barbara, CA
1979 Visiting Instructor
University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
1975-77 Art Instructor
Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara, CA