Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Michael Afsa

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Michael Afsa. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Michael, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: When was the last time you felt true joy?
My family and I were recently vacationing in California near the beach and we went to see tide pools one day. It’s something I did as a child, and my children loved it. I felt true joy exploring with them and discovering all of the intricate and beautiful forms of life in a tiny pool of seawater.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Michael Afsa and I create sculpture and photography inspired by the architecture and landscape of the American Southwest. I’ve called Arizona home for the past 14 years and I currently live and work in Tucson with my wife and three children. Originally from Los Angeles, I attended CalArts where I studied design, and then went on to work as a designer in my early career. My interests in and studies of design, architecture, aesthetics, industrial design and fabrication all have influenced the work I do today.

In my work I distill the desert landscape and often-overlooked architecture of suburbia into abstract geometric compositions that meditate on the paradoxical relationship between these human-made urban environments and their vast desert surroundings. My sculptures, crafted from materials commonly found in Southwestern architecture—such as wood, wall textures, and stucco—draw on familiar architectural elements and engage with light, shadow, surface, and dimension to process concepts like the horizon, sunset, sunrise, and even the landscape itself into their purest forms. Through this exploration of perception, my hope is that my art can evoke moments of unexpected playfulness, surrealism, and nostalgia, offering a fresh perspective through which to experience the everyday.

My latest accomplishment is a solo exhibition, “Suburban Paradise,” at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) from June 14 – September 14, 2025. My first museum exhibition, it’s a collection of sculpture and photography from the last several years. The SMoCA staff was fantastic to work with in organizing this show. I’d like to thank curator Keshia Turley who had such an immediate understanding of my work and then helped organize and present it in a cohesive and elegant way.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents taught me the most about work. My dad had his own business and often worked from home, so I got to see what he was working on firsthand. He also had an office space which he would bring me along to. My mom took a long pause in her career to focus on our home and family, which she did so fervently. I was able to see both of my parents and their work often, which greatly informed my notions of work ethic, organization, discipline, and the myriad ways a parent can be a provider. They worked a lot and emphasized being continuously productive, but also devoted time to their children and placed us as a top priority. I’ve found these early influences even more helpful and foundational as I’ve gotten older and started my own businesses and family.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
A big one for me has been a fear of making mistakes and a fear of imperfection. I’m a perfectionist in many aspects of my life. It can be valuable, but it can also inhibit reasonable risks. The more aware I’ve become of this fear and when it’s at play, the better I’ve been able to act in spite of it. For me, imperfect action is generally better than inaction.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think they’d say that integrity, basically doing the right thing, really matters to me. It’s a principle I try to bring to everything I do. Whether it’s in my relationships or my work, I believe in the importance of being truthful and staying consistent to my values. Even in my art, I’ve come to believe craftsmanship is a form of integrity. I see it as a high level of care and regard for the work and the people who will be experiencing it.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Early in my career I wanted a certain professional title, and I eventually got it, but I found that it did not satisfy me the way I thought it would. It was a good lesson to learn because it humbled me and changed my perspective on professional achievements and awards. They’re nice when they come along, but are no longer part of my goals. I try to focus instead on incremental progress, personal growth, creating dialogue, and ultimately connecting with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.michaelafsa.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelafsa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelsafsa

Image Credits
Installation view of Michael Afsa: Suburban Paradise at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA).

Photography: Gabby Usinger.