PAINTING AND SCULPTURE

Traditionally known for his humorous and thought-provoking paintings exploring themes such as consumerism, school violence, and societal pressures, artist Michael Mararian has, over the years, expanded his practice to include sculptural works crafted from felt. Meticulously recreating everyday objects—from plungers to vintage cameras—these soft sculptures bring familiar items to “fuzzy” life, creating whimsical yet thought-provoking contradictions that invite viewers to reconsider the ordinary.

More recently, Mararian’s work has evolved to embrace what he describes as more benign, meta subjects, including scenes inspired by vintage television, lifelike renderings of raw meat, and explorations of the increasingly digital world in which we live. Through these works, he continues to examine the intersection of nostalgia, material culture, and contemporary life.

Mararian has also expanded his creative practice into performance art through Polyester Bakes, a weekly project in which he bakes desserts while dressed in vintage attire. The project led to a national audience with his appearance on Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Baker, which premiered in 2025.

A graduate of the University of Bridgeport’s Art and Theatre program, Mararian also studied at the Art Students League of New York. His work has been exhibited internationally at Corey Helford Gallery and Thinkspace Gallery in Los Angeles, Bristol City Museum in Bristol, England, and Antonia Fraunberg Gallery in Düsseldorf, Germany, as well as regionally at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center and the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo, New York.