Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Goodwin.
Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve lived in phoenix my whole life, and after attending arizona state university for graphic design, halfway through the program, I realized how miserable it was and took one welding class, and after that, I was a sculpture major. I spent years there, practicing neon glass , cast bronze and aluminum and iron, welding, woodworking, and kinetic sculpture until I received my degree in fine arts. As I wanted to work in the arts and be around art all the time, i began working at scottsdale museum of contemporary art around 1999. I have worked in exhibits ever since, working as exhibits preparator at smoca, phoenix art museum, and mesa contemporary arts, as well as working for almost six years. At the musical instrument museum in making mounts for all manner of objects and artifacts. I then began working in exhibit design and building at the arizona heritage center, mesa contemporary arts, i then went on to be exhibits, manager at the idea. Museum and moved on to becoming the curator there, followed by a year as associate curator at the phoenix sky harbor airport museum. During this entire career, I have also continued making my own artwork as a member of five fifteen arts in its inaugural few years, and continue to have several solo and group shows over the years and still continue to make several art pieces a year today, while still working full time in the arts industry.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t believe anyone who works in the art world has a smooth road. Arts are always the first to get cut from government programs, schools and so on, and also, always the most undervalued elements of society. Always working on a shoestring budget, hello, always the first departments to lose people to budget cuts and layoffs, even though the institutions are usually relying on the exhibits to bring people in. On a personal art level, so few artists I know, are making art full time and not struggling. Commercial businesses and capitalism in general, undervalue art and always want to underpay or not pay it all. It’s disgraceful considering how important art is to our quality of life. Despite all of this, i will always work in the arts and support underrepresented or marginalized communities and their amazing talented artists in any capacity that I can.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
IFor many years now, i have been using my art weather. Individual pieces of my own are collaborative pieces with my friend ken richardson, to talk about ridiculous, pop culture, events and people, or current political issues at the time. We go by the name the “molten brothers”, and have made pieces poking fun at all of the ridiculous celebrity controversies, over the years, or the local or national or even international idiocy happening in politics, and we are never lacking for subject matter due to the continuous stream of baffoons running the political world and capitalism everywhere. I may not be solving any problems with my art, but if I can bring awareness, or at least piss off some fascists along the way, I feel like it’s worth it.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love my arts community and feel like there is a lot of support within the community for each other. And it’s very inclusive and easy for people to become a part of in general. I love that I started on roosevelt. Row when it was first beginning, and I still have my toe in the tiny bit of arts that’s left in curating the art space at greenwood brewery.
The things I like least about our city is the lack of green spaces and support for our homeless communities. We are one of the hottest cities in the world, and we need to provide more shade and food and mental health support for people on the streets. More support for immigrant families who are literally putting food on our tables. More affordable housing, more walkable communities and public transit.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @thegrillbilly
