Spotlight Artist

Mike Shultis

MFA Annual
Artist profile photo
Featured in New American Paintings

Artist Statement

I make art that reflects our current time and American culture. I both hold up a mirror to society and reflect my role within it. My work illustrates aspects of toxic whiteness and masculinity that I find pertinent to today’s problems. I feel it is my responsibility, as a white heterosexual American male, to critique and reject such identities. I often think of medieval jesters who through humor and entertainment could push sociopolitical agendas onto the ruling class, sometimes successfully. I try to reclaim the power of those medieval jesters through my process of aestheticizing that which is abject. With humor and beauty as a catalyst, my garish environments lure in viewers who get lost inside only to discover the ugliness and stupidity that is the driving force of our time.

Artist's Additional works

Works shared by the artist outside of their featured New American Paintings selections

Featured artwork
Featured artwork

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