Bruce Lurie Gallery Presents "Grit and Grace" Solo Exhibition by Michael Gorman
Bruce Lurie Gallery will present "Grit and Grace," a solo exhibition of new works by contemporary artist Michael Gorman, with an opening reception Saturday, May 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. The exhibition runs through June 2025 at the gallery's Santa Monica location.
Gorman's latest series explores the complex interplay of vulnerability and resilience through emotionally charged abstract figurative paintings that blur the line between action painting and raw introspection. The works examine tension between rugged textures, gestural strokes and nuanced color fields that evoke both struggle and beauty.
"Grit and Grace is about the dualities that define us, our strength and our softness, our scars and our healing, our despair and our hope," Gorman said. "These works are not about perfection. They are about presence."
Rooted in Abstract Expressionism's legacy, Gorman's practice asserts an intensely personal language of mark-making and texture. His canvases balance chaos and control, erosion and endurance, inviting viewers into visceral dialogue where imperfection becomes powerful truth.
Gorman has exhibited extensively throughout the United States and internationally, with works in numerous private and public collections. His intuitive approach, characterized by bold textures, scraping, layering and color interplay, has established him as a celebrated figure in contemporary art.
The artist never planned to become a painter, initially studying architecture at the University of Kansas. After taking a painting class on a whim, professors urged him to switch majors to fine art, which he did.
Before college, Gorman served four-and-a-half years as a cryptologist in the U.S. Navy. During his first ship assignment, he accidentally opened the wrong hatch and walked off a deck into the Indian Ocean. He survived 17 hours in shark-infested waters before rescue, an experience that convinced him he was meant to survive for a reason.
The exhibition takes place at Bruce Lurie Gallery, 608 Santa Monica Blvd. More information about Gorman is available at luriegallery.com/artists/michael-gorman. Gallery details can be found at luriegallery.com.
Edited by SMDP Staff