assemblage – ultrawolvesunderthefullmoon

The Artwork of Michael deMeng

Michael deMeng is an assemblage artist from Vancouver, Canada who exhibits throughout the United States. As an educator, he has been actively involved with VSA Montana, providing art education and encouraging participation in the arts to people with disabilities. Through these activities, as well as his artwork, deMeng fosters community awareness, and offers creative methods to explore the human experience.

In his art, he addresses issues of transformation. Discarded materials find new and unexpected uses in his work; they are reassembled and conjoined with unlikely components, a form of rebirth from the ashes into new life and new meaning.

These assemblages are metaphors for the evolutions and revolutions of existence: from life to death to rebirth, from new to old to renewed, from construction to destruction to reconstruction. These forms are examinations of the world in perpetual flux, where meaning and function are ever-changing.

Paul Le Blanc, “Alchemical Queen”, Illuminated Assemblage with Turkey Wings, Oil Paint, Eggshells, Silver/Gold Leaf, 44 x 44 x 14 Inches

“Within my work I have developed a personal interconnecting system of symbolic and metaphorical structures. I use esoteric symbolism, new physical theory, and comparative psychology to create this interconnecting system. By combining these disciplines I hope to create a common context in which all are welcome to participate. This seems to be an activity of alchemy, a subject of study for both philosophers and physicists.

I study alchemy as a source for artmaking. Its symbolism and metaphor provides for me a rich source of inner discovery and reflection. I am especially fond of Carl Jung who has done so much work and grounded research. I also read about the new sciences such as particle physics.

I gather my collection of objects from secondhand stores, dumpsites and salvage yards. When gathering these things I respond to shape texture or use. I couple these objects with painted images to build on a concept or theme. More unique arrangements develop through an improvisational and intuitive process that creates a common connection. Larger themes evolve from these connections which build a network of support. This synergy produces a complex symbology that draws on a mind pool of thought.” – Paul Le Blanc