Michael McHugh

Michael McHugh’s botanical-based painting practice is directly informed by research in museums, libraries and gardens with an emphasis placed upon what can not necessarily be easily seen. He builds collagic-styled works comprised of colourful abstracted, botanical shapes informed by and directly connected to the natural world.

The artist studies Michael’s biological subjects both in the wild and via research collections in libraries and museums, returning to the studio with photographic and drawn work as well as a head full of ideas and connections. The resulting paintings uses these thoughts and images to create highly personal organic universes, full of vivid colour and form. Often the final images are shaped as much by Michael’s personal history and memories of his first views of certain plants as they are by studious botanical drawings.

A graduate from Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design, Auckland, Michael has also attended masterclasses in painting at the National Art School, Sydney. He lives between Sydney and Auckland and his work is held in significant public, private and corporate collections including:

• The Wallace Arts Trust, Auckland
• Macquarie University Art Collection, Sydney
• Arup New Zealand, Auckland
• Art House Trust, Auckland
• Mindfood, Sydney
• Citadel Capital, Auckland/Seoul

Other links:

• Website 
• Instagram