Red Lodge Clay Center – Short-Term Resident 2023
Mike Cannata is currently a long-term Artist in Residence at the Morean Center for Clay (St. Petersburg, FL). He was born in Chicago, IL, he attended Elgin Community College (Elgin, IL) where he focused on academics and working in the ceramic and sculpture department. He later transferred to The New York State School of Ceramics at Alfred University (Alfred, NY), where he graduated with honors receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts. While at Alfred Cannata worked across disciplines, taking interests in Ceramics, Metal, Glass and 2D Media. Prior to the Morean, Cannata participated in multiple artist residency programs, two of which were at the Guldagergaard International Ceramic Research Center in Denmark. Following this time, Cannata worked in a studio at the Bridgeport Art Center, and taught at the Chicago Ceramic Center (Chicago, IL) Cannata’s work has been exhibited nationally as well as in Denmark, Russia and soon South Korea (December 2022)
I make my art with an attitude of spontaneity and play. My work is a depiction of experience, a depiction of a time… a place… a strong emotion… Materials speak boisterously and also in whispers yet they don’t make a sound. Viscosity, texture and surface give materials voice; making art to me is a dialogue between myself and the material.
Activities of skateboarding, dancing and meditating are a necessary part of my art making mindset. I use these activities not only as subject matter in my art, but also as inspiration for moving my body to make art. I see these movements and activities as depicting emotions. Reflecting on moments of hyper focus, meditation, adrenaline and play give me insights into myself as a neurodivergent person and the way I see the world. I want my art to tell stories of human experience with inflection.