Michael Oates
American, b. 1991
Michael Oates (b. 1991) is an artist and designer based out of Alpha, NJ. His current discipline is functional and spatial design using wood as his primary medium.
Living and working in the Bucks County area Michael immersed himself in the thriving craft scene - drawing influence from the river towns that run along the Delaware.
His process typically begins with sourcing raw materials - exploring local lumber yards and hand selecting the pieces he will work with. "Each piece has a story, as to how it fell, the figuring, cracking. The wood does most of the work, it dictates what it will ultimately become - I just have the privilege of allowing that to happen."
Michael explores myth, acknowledges the archetype and points toward the numinous focusing on the communication of symbol through object - the hidden process of ushering meaning through experience.
Submitted by Jarrett McCusker
