From now through December 29, be sure to see the Michael Updike exhibit at the Firehouse Theater. This is his first solo show in Newburyport. In the past he has also shown at Hall Haskell House and Zenobia in Ipswich as well as placing work at shops in Nantucket and Hamilton.
Updike, the son of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer John Updike, was born in Ipswich.
He found his passion for art at Pingree School and honed his skills at Mass. College of Art, where he majored in sculpture but explored all aspects of design, including molding, casting, welding and stone carving.
He joined the Gloucester firm Mariposa and helped develop a line of serviceable art for the table, tableware, from sand-cast aluminum. His artistic works range from aesthetically pleasing sea creatures to more jarring pieces meant to give the viewers reason to pause. Three years ago he starting working with slate…”It’s an interesting medium to work with,” he says. “Slate is not like a blank canvas. It is dinged up, scratched, uneven, imperfect, sometimes broken.” He carves the pieces using an English grave lettering chisel and a mallet.
“It’s found art,” he says. “I put my art on top of it; each layer speaks to each other.”
After several years living near downtown Newburyport, he now lives on the Newbury marsh. Occasionally you can see his work floating near Joppa Flats.
“New Works” by Michael Updike will be on display through Dec. 29 at the Firehouse Gallery, 1 Market Square, Newburyport. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday.
For more information, call 978-462-7336 or visit:
michaelupdike.net or firehouse.org
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