"Michael Kagan: It Lasts Forever" is the artist's first exhibition at the London gallery, following his 2021 exhibition "How We Remember" at Almine Rech in Brussels. Michael Kagan is a Brooklyn-based artist known for his oil paintings with large, expressive brushstrokes. 

Michael Kagan explores the physical and emotional journeys that explorers from mountaineers to astronauts, go through. His paintings can be described as highly dramatic. In his characteristically thick brushstrokes, he depicts people pushing the limits of nature through physical endurance and technology. Michael Kagan admires these heroes and is drawn to the cinematic and epic. His collectors include Elon Musk, to whose Space X he was invited, NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa and Nike CEO Mark Parker. In 2013, Michael Kagan collaborated with Pharrell Williams, for whom he designed a special edition of the ready-to-wear collection. This September, there will be a third collaboration between the artist and the music star.

He describes the message of his work as Iconic moments that changed the future in a split second. 

July 21, 2022

Interview Directory 

ART

Name: Michael Kagan

Occupation: Brooklyn-based artist known for large, expressive brush strokes. He explores the physical and emotional journey that accompanies mountaineers and astronauts.

Gallery: Almine Rech

"I've had some really great experiences with the space programme because of my work. I was invited to SpaceX... Elon Musk owns a painting."

You often portray astronauts and racers. What fascinates you about these worlds? 

 I like the gladiator aspect of it. The helmets and all the equipment... it's cinematic and epic. 

Would you also like to fly into space yourself? 

Yes, I plan to! 

Do you sometimes work with real astronauts or just photos? Do you sometimes meet astronauts in person or visit space centres? Have your subjects ever come into contact with your work - if so, how did they react? 

I've had some really great experiences with the space programme because of my work. I was invited to SpaceX... Elon Musk owns a painting. NASA astronaut Leland Melvin has become a close friend. He also owns a painting of mine and was involved in my museum exhibition. Most of my paintings are based on historical photographs, but there is also a new sculpture project I'm working on, and I have access to real NASA-flown space footage. 

"Iconic moments that change the future in a split second"

What would you describe as the message of your work? 

Iconic moments that changed the future in a split second.... they stay forever. 

Michael Kagan Communication Immage 2022 ©Michael Kagan

You also had a collaboration with Pharrell Williams in 2013. What do you think of other collaborations between brands and artists? Are there any that seem particularly interesting or successful to you? 

I've done two collaborations with Pharrell and we have a third one this September.  I'm a big fan of the intersection of art, fashion and music. It's a great way to reach the masses.... I like how brands like Dior build a whole collection around an artist. I feel like you see that more and more these days. 

Can you reveal something about your next plans? 

I'm looking forward to my Pharrell collaboration in September. My next solo show will be in New York City in spring 2023, followed by a solo show in Shanghai in 2024. I also have three exciting editions of prints and sculptures planned throughout the year. 

Learn more about the artist:

michaelkagan.com

"Michael Kagan: It Lasts Forever" Michael Kagan Installation view Argl 2022 ©Melissa Castro Duarte

"Michael Kagan: It Lasts Forever" Michael Kagan Installation view Argl 2022 ©Melissa Castro Duarte

"Michael Kagan: It Lasts Forever" Michael Kagan Installation view Argl 2022 ©Melissa Castro Duarte

Michael Kagan

Born in Virginia Beach in 1980, Michael Kagan received his BA from George Washington University and his MFA from the New York Academy of Art, where he also completed a post-graduate fellowship in 2005. His special projects include a commission for the Smithsonian, two clothing collaborations with Pharrell Williams and the album cover for The White Lies album Big TV, which won the Art Vinyl Award for Best Art Vinyl in 2013. He recently had a solo exhibition at Virginia MOCA, Virginia Beach, VA, USA (2019/2020).

Kagan's work is held in the collections of the Hall Collection, Reading, VT, USA; Maezawa Collection, Chiba, Japan; Maki Collection, Tokyo, Japan; Gemini Trust Company, New York, NY, USA; Fidelity Investments Corporate Contemporary Art Collection, Boston, MA, USA; Founders Fund, San Francisco, CA, USA; and Jacob & Co, New York, NY, USA, among others. He has been exhibited in numerous solo and group shows worldwide. A recent monograph of

his work was published in 2019 by ARTBOOK | DAP.

"Michael Kagan: It Lasts Forever" Michael Kagan Installation view Argl 2022 ©Melissa Castro Duarte