These works of oil painted on rough aluminum, represent a continuation of themes that have captured Michael’s fascination and imagination for over a decade.
Sagato’s use of the rough and reflective surface of aluminum serves both as background and backdrop. The reflective open spaces invite the viewer in and are at once reminiscent of Michelangelo Pistoletto’s mirrors while capturing the texture and immediacy of Young’s abstractions on metal.
Sagato’s masterful technique is achieved through the scrutiny of the compositional elements of classical painting and yet his subject matter and depiction capture very current moments in New York and the zeitgeist of today’s solipsism. This delicate balance between old and new, rough and reflexive creates a tension that keeps his work engaging and contemporary.
Michael Sagato: preview of upcoming solo show, including recent paintings. Mike received a BFA from New York’s School of Visual Arts in 1999, where he studied fine art, design, and photography. He now lives and works in New York. Michael was awarded the Helen Wohlberg Lambert Award and Grant. He has had a solo exhibition with Joseph Nahmad Contemporary Gallery and New York’s Milk Gallery.