MICHAEL STANIAK
AustraliaMichael Staniak’s practice concerns the changing dynamics of creative processes in light of the proliferation of social and digital media. His paintings and sculptures explore the relationship between traditional methods and new technologies. Process is as much a focus of his work as out- come. Through unique applications of colour and manipulation of mediums, Staniak deliberately disrupts the visual cues that help distinguish digital and traditional image production. His works often utilise textures with a trompe-l’œil effect that manipulate the viewer’s depth perception. The resulting hypnotic surfaces act as a visual portal to a post-digital world, one in which we interact both physically and virtually, and reflect on the implications of such an existence.
Staniak holds a BFA and an MFA from the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne, as well as a BA in Digital Media Communications from the Middle Tennessee State University, USA. He has exhibited extensively internationally, including at the Museum of Contemporary Art, St. Louis, USA; Steve Turner Contemporary, Los Angeles; The Hole, New York; The Unit Gallery, London; Eduardo Secci Gallery, Florence; Annarunna Gallery, Naples; Galerie Clemens Gunzer, Kitzbuhel; Kunsthalle Wien, Vienna; La Bibi Gallery, Mallorca; Arts and Cultural Centre of Newfoundland, Canada; Achenbach Hagemeier, Dusseldorf; and Pearl Lam Galleries, Hong Kong. In 2017, the Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis published an artist monograph of Staniak’s practice, titled IMG_. His work has been featured in numerous publications, including Australiana to Zeitgeist: An A to Z of Australian Contemporary Art, Thames and Hudson, London; Feelings: Soft Art, Skira Rizzoli, New York; and Postdigital Artisans, Frame Publishers, Amsterdam.
Courtesy STATION
Works at STATION
Recently Exhibited
Explore and Follow Artists Shaping Contemporary Art
A respected voice in contemporary art discourse.
Focusing on ambitious storytelling and insightful art-world commentary. Ocula Magazine publishes in-depth interviews, critical essays and timely analysis on the artists, exhibitions and ideas driving the global art world.
Learn more about Ocula Magazine
Showcasing the best of the art world.
Ocula partners with galleries from around the world to highlight their artists, artworks and exhibitions. Gallery membership is by application and invitation, with each member vetted by an independent panel.
Learn more about Ocula Membership
Specialises in the sale of major artworks.
Led by a team with deep ties to the world’s leading auction houses, galleries and collectors. Ocula’s advisory team offers bespoke services to high-net-worth clients from around the world who are looking to acquire the best of contemporary and modern art.
Learn more about our team and services