Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Micheal Joo Biography
Michael Joo is a contemporary artist whose multifaceted practice encompasses a diverse range of media, including sculpture, painting, printmaking, photography, installation, and performance. Born in 1966 in Ithaca, New York, to a Korean family, Joo's parents immigrated from South Korea to pursue graduate studies at Cornell University. Growing up in a small, academically focused community, Joo was exposed to a unique blend of scientific inquiry and rural life, which later became influential in his artistic explorations.
Joo's father, a cattleman and animal breeding scholar, and his mother, a biology student, instilled in him an early appreciation for the natural sciences. This background would become a cornerstone of his work, as Joo often integrates scientific language, processes, and structures into his art. He lived between New York state and Minnesota, where he experienced a childhood divided between the laboratory and the ranch, fostering a deep connection to both scientific rigor and the natural world.
Joo's education further shaped his interdisciplinary approach to art. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Washington University in St. Louis in 1989 and went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts in sculpture from the Yale School of Art in 1991. His time at Yale solidified his commitment to exploring the intersections of art and science. After completing his education, Joo lived and worked in Vienna, Austria, where he was employed by a company specializing in seed science. The artistic and cultural environment of Vienna, particularly the Secession exhibition hall, had a profound impact on his artistic development.
Joo's work is characterized by its investigation into concepts of identity, knowledge, and the hybrid nature of the contemporary world. His art often blends and collides seemingly disparate elements such as science and religion, fact versus fiction, and high and low culture. He is particularly interested in human intervention in nature and the forms generated by these intersections. Joo's use of a wide range of materials and media, coupled with an emphasis on process, allows him to juxtapose humanity's various states of knowledge and culture. This prompts viewers to question their perceptions of the world and the fluid nature of identity itself.
In his performance and video works, Joo has engaged in unconventional and thought-provoking acts, such as swimming through a ton of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and waiting in the wild for elk to lick salt off his body. These performances underscore his interest in the body's relationship to the environment and the exchange between the two.
Joo has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions worldwide. Notable exhibitions include his solo show at Kukje Gallery in Seoul, South Korea, and his participation in the exhibition "Perspectives" at various galleries. His work has been featured in significant art events such as the Venice Biennale and the Whitney Biennial, establishing him as a prominent figure in the international art scene.
As an educator, Joo has shared his expertise as a Senior Critic in Sculpture at Yale University and as a teacher in the MFA program at Columbia University. His commitment to education reflects his belief in the importance of interdisciplinary learning and the exchange of ideas between art and science.
Michael Joo's contributions to contemporary art are recognized for their intellectual depth and innovative approach to blending scientific concepts with artistic expression. His work continues to inspire and challenge audiences, encouraging a deeper understanding of the complex world we inhabit.
Micheal Joo Quotes and Sales
of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, through which you will be
informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
acquisitions of the art gallery.
You can send us pictures of the work: