Overview

 Ian Micheal (b. 1985 in Detroit, Michigan; lives and works in Oakland, CA) creates paintings that weave forms of human intimacy through his representation of comradery between androgynous figures. Highlighting nodes of deep affection, while allowing room for interpretation of gender and kinship, Micheal offers his viewers a personal connection to the work. Leaving figures and spaces they occupy simple and at times unfinished, the large-scale oil paintings celebrate often marginalized individuals by emphasizing their vibrancy. 

 

Lauded for his warm vignettes that leave room for interpretations of gender, emotion, storyline, and kinship, Micheal examples tender moments across large-scale canvases, often employing soft color palettes and layers of patterning over simple backgrounds.
Works
  • Ian Micheal, As The Wind Blows
    As The Wind Blows
  • Ian Micheal, Comfortable Comforters
    Comfortable Comforters
  • Ian Micheal, Daisy Dudes
    Daisy Dudes
  • Ian Micheal, Flowers and Fros
    Flowers and Fros
  • Ian Micheal, Love Me Nots #4
    Love Me Nots #4
  • Ian Micheal, Rooftop Romance
    Rooftop Romance
  • Ian Micheal, We Was Young
    We Was Young
  • Ian Micheal, Where We From
    Where We From
Exhibitions
Biography

 Solo Exhibitions

2026, Maybaum Gallery, San Francisco, CA (Forthcoming)

2023 Intimités, Mariane Ibrahim, Paris, France

2022 Stills, Mariane Ibrahim, Chicago, IL

 

Group Exhibitions

2025 Maybaum Gallery Union Square, San Francisco, CA 

2025 We Belong Here: The Gutierrez Collection, Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington, NC

2024 Mariane Ibrahim at Frieze Seoul, Seoul, South Korea

2023 The Brice Collection, Gallery Jones, Vancouver, Canada

2023 Un Abrazo, Mariane Ibrahim, Mexico City, Mexico

2022 Mariane Ibrahim at the International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art, Chicago, IL

2022 Mariane Ibrahim at Art Basel, Miami Beach, FL

2021 Mariane Ibrahim at Art Basel Miami Beach, FL 2020 Everyday is Sunday, curated by John Wolf, UTA Artist Space, Los Angeles, CA

2020 Summer Exhibition, Krause Gallery, New York, NY