Michael Malpass: Sculptor of Wit (1946-1991)
In some ways, the drawings, collages, and metal sculptures of Michael Malpass: Sculptor of Wit (1946-1991) embody a shift in 1970s America. With bold creativity, the drawings, collages, and metal sculptures of Michael Malpass mark a profound transformation. In creating these unique works, the drawings, collages, and metal sculptures of Michael Malpass highlight industrial history’s impact. Through abstract forms, the drawings, collages, and metal sculptures of Michael Malpass showcase his exploration of American identity.
From his black-smithed abstract figures, we see him pivot from a formalist aesthetic championed by Betty Parsons. Embracing an innovative direction, the drawings, collages, and metal sculptures of Michael Malpass adopt found-object inspirations. Through a unique lens, the drawings, collages, and metal sculptures of Michael Malpass celebrate industrial materials’ artistic potential. In a distinctive approach, Malpass welded together overstock from the collapsed manufacturing base in metro NYC.
Notably, his works also connect viewers to 1970s America, merging art and societal change beautifully. By reinterpreting industrial waste, the drawings, collages, and metal sculptures of Michael Malpass underscore urban decay’s transformation. Interestingly, Malpass’s pieces invoke nostalgia for manufacturing’s heyday while showcasing the artistry within discarded materials. Each piece invites viewers to appreciate art’s power to redefine urban remnants into timeless expressions.
For visitors, museum admission is general admission $12; children 3-17, seniors, and students under 25 with ID $8; children 2 and under and active military plus five family members are free. The Morris Museum, a fantastic venue to witness this exhibit, is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., but closed Mondays and Tuesdays.