Michael Gittings was born and raised in Albury, Victoria and established his design studio in Fawkner, in Melbourne’s north, in 2016. Michael’s practice is intuitive, allowing metals and their properties to direct the form of the work. He is interested in the myriad of treatments and technologies employed throughout history by industry to form and finish metal products. His techniques span those at the very forefront of modern science to those that have been around for millennia, harking back to pre-industrial craftsmanship. Michael allows these techniques to hold influence over the final form of the work. While some techniques involve meticulous planning and construction, others require no previous plans or sketches and the metal can be worked by hand, like clay at a potters wheel. Michael’s work is a continually evolving dialogue between artist and material.
In 2021, Michael was named 1 of the 100 worldwide game changers in design by Architectural Digest Italy. Michael has a strong interest in architecture; not only in design and physical structure, but the methods and materials used to construct buildings and public spaces. Michael’s current practise manifests his curiosity with the interaction between nature and the built environment. His use of space, structure and materials marries the wild with the industrial.
Since 2016, Michael has exhibited in two solo shows at Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert, works of which are now held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Victoria. In 2020, Michael and his collaborator Makiko Ryujin were commissioned to produce site specific works for the NGV Triennial.
Year: 2021
Origin: Australia
Composition: Mirror polished stainless steel
Dimensions: 81 x 40 x 150 cm