About
Born in New York, Michael Chesler studied art at Hunter College for three years, and was fortunate to study with several influential New York artists. He moved to Los Angeles and completed his education, receiving an M.A. in 3-D media art from California State University at Northridge. His work in heavily influenced by his relationship with the urban areas he's surrounded by and how others interact with these building and spaces.
Using photography and correction fluid, Chesler's work brings the viewer's attention to aspects that generally go unnoticed - the dichotomy between past and present, security and safety, home and work.
Statement
My artwork illustrates the time contained within a structure. There are two times eras encompassed in each structure which exist simultaneously. The incongruity is concurrently obvious and invisible. I bring the viewer’s attention to the details that denote the disparity in time periods. Both images in the frame are photos of the same structure. In the black and white photo, whiteout, or correction fluid, is painted over the modern “improvements.” The past is manifest in what remains.
In the color photo, the artistry of the past is painted over to highlight the transformations of the present era. I am interested in exploring disparate aspects of seemingly integrated entities. My interest is also on the unnoticed, the ignored or overlooked features of our everyday world, from shadows to foliage that pushes through concrete edifices to signs of human encroachment in “untouched” natural environments.
Selected Exhibitions
2022
MADE IN THE USA
Tag Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
LOS ANGELES 8TH ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
DAB Art, Los Angeles, CA
SURREALISM
Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA)
Santa Ana, CA
BEGIN AGAIN–AN EXHIBITION CELEBRATING POSSIBILITY
Open Mind Art Space, Los Angeles, CA
ALL MEDIA 2022
Irvine Fine Arts Center, Irvine, CA
2021
LL MEDIA 2021
Irvine Fine Arts Center, Irvine, CA
2020
MINIMALISM
ShockBoxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA
2020
CALIFORNIA OPEN
Tag Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
THE NEXT BIG THING 2020
Studio Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
INTO THE LIGHT
Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA)
Santa Ana, CA
CSUN ARTS ALLUMNI: THE SAME THING EVERYDAY
Moorpark College Art Gallery, Moorpark, CA
4TH ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION AND EXHIBIT
LA Art Core, Brewery Annex, Los Angeles, CA
2019
BRAND 47: WORKS ON PAPER
Brand Library and Art Center, Glendale, CA
ALL MEDIA 2019
Irvine Fine Arts Center, Irvine, CA
GIVE ME SHELTER
San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center, Tarzana, CA
5TH ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION
LA Art Core, Brewery Annex, Los Angeles, CA
2018
BRAND 46: WORKS ON PAPER
Brand Library and Art Center, Glendale, CA
LA OPEN EXHIBITION
Tag Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
CALIFORNIA OPEN EXHIBITION
Tag Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2016
BRAND 44: WORKS ON PAPER
Brand Library and Art Center, Glendale, CA
2009
INSIGHT/INSIDE LA
Jose Drudis-Biada Art Gallery
Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles, CA
2004
PAREIDOLIA
Orange County Center for Contemporary Art
Santa Ana, CA
2003
27 YEARS OF SHOWING ART
Jose Drudis-Biada Art Gallery
Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles, CA
AMERICA
The Second City Council
Ocean Center Building, Long Beach, CA
CONSUMERISM
The Second City Council
Ocean Center Building, Long Beach, CA
2001
STRADA
Jose Drudis-Biada Art Gallery
Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles, CA
2000
DREAMHOUSE
Miller / Durazo Gallery, Los Angeles, Ca
1999
THE MILLENIUM SHOW
Boritzer-Gray-Hamano Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
MILLENIUM GROUP SHOW
Miller/ Durazo Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
1990
A FEDERICO
EXPOSICION INTERNATIONAL DE ARTE POSTAL
Centro Cultural La General, Granada
Curator: Federico Garcia Lorca
1987
SIGNS OF THE CITIES AND OF THE WORLD
International exhibition of mail art
Institute of Art, Petrocchi – Piazzetta S. Pietro, Italy
1986
ARTIST’S BOOKS
Curators: Klaus Groh & Christane Dierks
University of Oldenburg, Germany
1981
LIBRES D’ARTISTA / ARTISTS’ BOOKS
Metronom Gallery, Barcelona, Spain
SO TAKE IT TO THE PRESS
MoMing Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
1980
PLEASURE / FUNCTION
616 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA
1979 APPROACHES TO XEROGRAPHY
Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
1979
GEOMETRY RECONSIDERED
Nexus Gallery, Culver City, CA
Curator: Michael Chesler
ARTWORKS AND BOOKWORKS
Los Angeles Institute of Contemporary Art
THE NEW OLD WEST
Sanguine Suite, Los Angeles, CA
SMALL IMAGES
Santa Barbara City College, CA
ART TECHS
California State University, Northridge
1977
DESERT WEST
Antelope Valley College, Lancaster, CA
ANNUAL MUNICIPAL ART SHOW
Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
BURBANK FINE ARTS FEDERATION
Burbank, CA
62nd NATIONAL ORANGE SHOW
San Bernadino, CA
1976
OTIS EXCHANGE SHOW
Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA
Curatorial
1977
GEOMETRY RECONSIDERED
Nexus Gallery, Culver City, CA
ART TECHS
California State University, Northridge
Published Works
Grounds
1980, Michael Chesler
Hollow Pervasion
1977, Michael Chesler
Plopped Placement
1976, Michael Chesler
Education
1977
M.A., California State University, Northridge
1975
B.A.., California State University, Northridge
1970 – ’73
New York City University, Hunter College