Michael Kareken, Tip Floor (2010), Oil on canvas. 78” x 156” (triptych, 78” x 52” each)
Thursday, September 4 | 6p - 8p
$10 [advance], $12 [at the door], Free [Member rate]
Join us at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum for an unforgettable evening with acclaimed Minneapolis-based artist Michael Kareken, as part of our Thursday Night Series: Meet the Artist. This special event, held on Thursday, September 4 from 6–8p, begins with a seated artist talk at 6p, where Kareken will offer insights into his process, inspiration, and the powerful environmental themes behind his latest exhibition, Ebb and Flow.
Minneapolis-based artist Michael Kareken transforms everyday discarded materials—scrap metal, cardboard, paper, glass, plastics, and car parts—into striking works of art. Through intricate drawings and large-scale paintings, Kareken explores the cyclical journey of raw materials, tracing their evolution from consumer goods to discarded remnants, and ultimately, to renewed forms. These works go beyond mere representations of recycled objects; they evoke reflection on our culture of consumption, single-use practices, and the lasting impact of these materials on our environment. Ebb and Flow invites us to reconsider the beauty within the mundane and to reflect on the lifecycle of the things we discard.
In his slide lecture, Kareken will discuss the genesis of his recycling series and how it developed over more than a decade, from easel-sized urban landscapes to detailed, large-scale images of the scrap material itself. He will reflect on the themes and ideas that lay behind this body of work, as well as share information about his research and working process.
After the presentation, enjoy time to mingle with the artist, ask questions, and experience the exhibition at your own pace in the inspiring setting of the museum.
Whether you're an art enthusiast, environmental advocate, or simply curious, don’t miss this opportunity to engage with one of Minnesota’s most celebrated contemporary artists.
Support Comes From
The Minnesota Marine Art Museum acknowledges the generous support to make this exhibition possible from our members, our corporate Friends of MMAM, the Mardag Foundation, the Elizabeth Callender King Foundation, and the Morgan Family Foundation.
This exhibition project is presented by MMAM, a nonprofit art museum located on the shores of the Upper Mississippi River.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.