Michael Hambouz

Like Literally Figuratively

April 3 - May 23

Artist Statement:
They say dead men tell no tales. But if you’re repeatedly visited in dreams by lost ancestors and late pets bearing messages, then this proverb is simply not true. These may be the very best tales in my opinion. And my grandmothers and Pickles were no men—all very strong women.

Is it the same reckless-wisdom-peddlers that also first said “you snooze, you lose”? As a lifetime anxious insomniac, I can attest to this being false as well. More healing restful sleep with stories rich in wisdom and loving support please.

Pivoting focus

If you see something, do you indeed say something? And if you don’t, is it because the cat’s got your tongue? And what does “got” mean anyways? Does it bury it? Eat it? Or maybe trade it for a pack of smokes?
No? Perhaps it should.
I digress.

Now, if you do say something, then do you also do something? And if so, who is the beneficiary? If it’s all just for you, is that really any better than never saying or doing anything at all? Would that make you just another snake in the grass?

Asking for the cat. It’s true that they’re curious.
-MH

Michael Hambouz (b. Niles, MI, 1977) is a first-generation Palestinian American multidisciplinary artist, and multi-instrumentalist musician based in Brooklyn, NY. Channeling his relationship with chromaesthesia and experimenting freely with mediums, he encourages unexpected compositional forms to bloom in the studio, resulting in conceptually abstracted multidimensional paintings and prints, intricate layered cut paper works, sculpture, drawings and animations. Hambouz received a B.A. from Antioch College, and has been awarded residencies at the Studios at MASS MoCA, Wassaic Project and Golden Foundation for the Arts. Solo/two-person exhibitions include Brooklyn Academy of Music, Elijah Wheat Showroom, Kayrock, Krasl Art Center, Moore College of Art, Neighbors, Troutbeck, and a 20-year survey exhibition at alma mater Antioch College in 2018. Select group exhibitions include The National Arts Club, Print Center New York, Club Rhubarb, and 5-50. His work has been featured in Artnet News, Design Milk, Hyperallergic, New American Paintings, The New York Times, and Two Coats of Paint among others.