Bejeweled by Michael Staley - Art Gallery Opening

Join us on Thursday, January 29th, from 5:30-7 pm at the SF LGBT Center for our newest gallery opening featuring artist Michael Staley and a deep dive conversation between Staley and our Director of Cultural Programs, Timothy Hampton.

About Michael Staley

My artistic practice is founded on the principle of transformation: taking the mundane and make it magnificent. I discover and collect ordinary objects from everyday life and, through a process of meticulous adornment, recycle them into unique, bejeweled works of art.

My work is a passionate exploration of mixed media, focusing on the intricate process of embellishment. Working primarily with small, intricate materials is my passion. I use a diverse range of elements, including Swarovski crystals, beads and baubles of diverse materials, allowing me to add texture, light and a sense of luxury to my pieces. All materials are individually adhered. On occasion, I have strung some beads.

I have adorned a wide range of items, from animal skulls, women's high-heeled shoes to kitchen appliances. For the past few years, I have been creating mixed media squares showcased in shadow boxes.

A significant aspect of my art involves challenging my own boundaries and experimenting with complexity. For instance, I was inspired by Edvard Munch's "The Scream" to recreate it on canvas using over 110,000 glass bugle beads, a project that took over 500 hundred hours and nearly three years to complete.

Through dedication to detail and intricate handiwork, I aim to elicit a sense of wonder and appreciation for the meticulous craft of beading and mosaic, creating unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that bring a little charm to the everyday and challenge perceptions of what "fine art" can be.

My goal is to present a diverse body of work that showcases the harmony in diversity of materials and subjects. By engaging with a variety of forms and themes, from playful to the provocative. I aim to surprise the viewer and offer a new perspective on the potential for beauty in everyday items and the power of meticulous, material-focused art.