Exhibitions Michael Darcy
October 11 - November 8, 2023 Project Space Studio
Untitled Quilt Block, digital image, 2022. © Michael Darcy. Courtesy of the artist.Project Space Residency
Open Studio: October 26, 6pm
Michael Darcy is a photographer and bookmaker living in Rochester, NY. He received his MFA from the SUNY Brockport Visual Studies program at Visual Studies Workshop in 2021. Michael has a bachelors in Communications Media with a concentration in photography from Fitchburg State University. His work has been included in various group shows across the nation and online. Recently his book How to Draw Tornadoes was acquired for the Cynthia Sears Collection at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.
Michael Darcy’s practice focuses on books and photography, through which he explores how form, materiality, and structure impact our experience with content. Projects represent his thoughts from a period of time, he thinks through making, and each is a self-reflective attempt to grow. Recent efforts have addressed themes such as his privilege, the impacts of education, spirituality and mindfulness, and authorship and collaboration.
VSW Project Space Residencies are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the New York State Legislature, Monroe County, and Joy of Giving Something. Photography artists participating in the program receive support from the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation.
During his residency, Michael Darcy's main concern was exploring a healthy relationship to work. His first act was to build a studio bed for naps.
Michael built a few mobiles during his Project Space residency, anticipating the birth of his first child.
As a capsule of his residency experience, Michael made a book exploring the overlaps between his current interests and investigations; this spread features flower press prints and a lyric about John Henry.
Another spread from Michael's residency zine featuring a photograph of a woodpecker and a drawing on wood from Michael's day job as a contractor.
Michael made progress on a few long-term projects during his residency, including continuing work on a quilt. The human need for rest preoccupied him.