Michael F Gallagher is an emerging artist and bilingual educator living in Chicago. He moved from Columbus, Ohio where he earned a BFA in Art and Art History from The Ohio State University. He went on to earn an MA in Interdisciplinary Arts Education at Columbia College Chicago which allowed him to pursue work without the constraints of a specific medium.
Gallagher has worked in installation, sculpture, and performance, most recently exploring kinetic sculpture. Regardless of medium, he has concerned himself with activating space through ethereal imagery that belies the confrontational content of the politics of identity.
Gallagher has participated in many group exhibitions over the last several years. His work has been shown in Nashville, TN, Anderson, IN as well as the Illinois locations of Elgin, St Charles, Batavia, and Monmouth. In Chicago, Gallagher has participated in shows at various galleries including Woman Made Gallery, The Chicago Art Department, and the Bridgeport Art Center.
Statement
As a white, cis-gender, gay male, I am interested in social justice. I struggle with how to navigate a profoundly racist society as a white man who believes in equality yet feels powerless to impact institutional racism.
White people rarely have candid conversations about race though racism is a white problem that white people need to solve. A few years ago, I began making work to “come out” as white. I attempt to generate discourse around white identity, privilege, and fragility, especially among white people. This can be disconcerting and uncomfortable, because I am forever learning more about my own intrinsic biases and privilege. But sincere, open white voices must be present if things are to change.
I am troubled that the privilege and power of white voices are necessary to affect this change. I see this dilemma in society and myself as an artist. I want people to experience my work, but as a white male saying, “Look at me!” when I am focused on amplifying voices of people of color, reeks of privilege. I do, however, believe that any true effort to get white people to examine their identity is a crucial part of structural change and I want to do my part.