Review

by George Rivera Curator Triton Museum

"The sculptural works of Michael Standefer offer the viewer a break from the everyday reality of life and even from the imaginary realms because Michael takes us all on a very special journey.  This is a journey that incorporates objects and ideas that challenge and encourage each of us to open our minds, experiences and concepts of what we have generally taken for granted or assumed.  Once we get beyond the uniqueness and skilled craftsmanship and past the extremely creative vision and mind, we then start to ask why and what is the purpose, the reason, what is the artist trying to say and express?  This is where for me the real journey begins, veiled beneath, behind and even right in front of us, the artist has recreated a reality that challenges our ease and comfort of what we once recognized these objects and forms to be in a past purpose.  Now we see objects presented that both intrigue and engage our initial visual experience and at the same time encourages us to wonder what is actually going on.  Subtle and not so subtle juxtapositioning of objects and forms creating more complex textured layers of meaning, symbols and metaphors.  Everything has a purpose beyond creative design, composition and harmony of visually engaging forms. Everything has a much deeper purpose, layered meanings, content and intent.

It is up to us, the viewer to take the time to allow each work to reveal its intended purpose by the artist, but it also is up to each one us to find our own personal discoveries and meaning."