C. Michael Norton

b. 1951, North Dakota

Education

1981 Master of Fine Arts, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
1978 Master of Arts, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
1977 Bachelor of Arts, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA

C. Michael Norton’s paintings thrive on a balance between vibrancy and neutrality; between the organic and the geometric. The works begin as bare linen canvas taped to the floor to collect random markings picked up from works in progress. Relying then upon his intuitive reactions to what has been collected, Norton masterfully utilizes a number of methods of paint application, including using tape to create lattice-like forms, and squeegeeing layers of paint, to create energetic and surprising compositions. The finished works feature layer upon layer of explosive color, membranes across the linen ground that read as negative space, and forms that at once are at odds with one another and yet rhythmically flow across the surface of the paintings.

He has shown at institutional venues such as the Sunshine International Museum and the Fifth Beijing International Biennale at the National Art Museum of China, Beijing; and the San Francisco Museum of Art, San Francisco, California. His solo exhibitions have taken place at Morris-Warren Gallery (formally Brian Morris Gallery), Barbara Greene Fine Art, Tama Gallery, and FiveMyles, all in New York; Art Virus LTD and Thomas Punzmann Fine Art, Frankfurt, Germany; Museo Civico d’Arte Contemporanea, Albissola, Italy; Galerie Bercovy-Fugier, Paris; Galerie Capazza, Paris/Nançay, France; Galerie Christine Le Chanjour, Nice, France; and Gallery Jean Yves Noblet, Paris/Grenoble, France. Art fair appearances include FICA, Paris; ArtFair, Cologne; and Arco, International Contemporary Art Fair, Madrid. Norton’s work has been reviewed in Art in America, Art News, Artcritical, Black Renaissance Noire, Art Daily, and numerous other publications.

Select Solo Exhibitions

2017
“Infinity’s Sprawl,” UNIX Gallery, New York, NY
“When Paintings Awake,” David & Schweitzer Contemporary, Brooklyn, NY

2016
“The Temptation of Space,” Art Virus Ltd., Frankfurt, Germany

2015
“The Wolf I Feed,” Brian Morris Gallery-Buddy Warren Inc., New York, NY

2014
PS 209 Gallery, Stone Ridge, NY

2013
“Over The Top,” Thomas Punzmann Fine Arts, Frankfurt Germany

2011
“Dancing In My Head,” Thomas Punzmann Fine Arts, Frankfurt, Germany
“Cacophony Part 2,” Woodstock Artist Association & Museum,Woodstock, NY
“Cacophony Part 1,” FiveMyles, Brooklyn, NY

2007
“Sudden Spring Suite,” Tama, New York, NY

2004
“Wangled Tabs,” (Curated by Koan Jeff Baysa) Maxwell Fine Arts, Peekskill,

2003
100 Broadway Exhibition Program, Curated by Suzanne Randolph Fine Arts, New York, NY

2001
“Recent Paintings,” Barbara Greene Fine Art, New York, NY
“Razing Space,” Galerie Terre d’Art, St. Paul de Vence, France

1992
“Albissola/America/Arte” Museo Civico d’Arte Contemporanea, Albissola, Italy
Galerie Capazza, Paris/Nançay, France

1990
Galerie Bercovy-Fugier, Paris, France

1985
Gallery 30, San Mateo, CA

1984
Galerie Christine Le Chanjour, Nice, France
Galerie Jean-Yves Noblet, Paris/Grenoble, France

1983
Markham Gallery/Museum Services, San Jose, CA

1981
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Select Group Exhibitions

2018
UNIX Gallery, Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary Art Fair, Palm Beach, FL
2017
UNIX Gallery, Art Miami, Miami, FL
UNIX Gallery, Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary Art Fair, Palm Beach, FL
Chimento Contemporary, Los Angeles, CA
2016
“Future Anesthetics,” UNIX Gallery, New York, NY
David & Schweitzer Contemporary, Brooklyn, NY
“Sibling Rivalries,” Torrance Art Museum, Los Angeles, CA
“Nation IV Thru The Rabbit Hole,” Sideshow Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2015
“spacematters,” Salon Zurcher Paris, France with Brian Morris Gallery New York, NY
2014
Pollux Tower, Frankfurt, Germany
Thomas Punzmann Fine Art, Frankfurt, Germany
2013
Sideshow Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2012
5th Beijing International Biennale, National Art Museum of Beijing, Beijing, China
3 Person at Filser & Graf, Munich, Germany Sideshow, Brooklyn, NY
2011
ArtFair Cologne Germany, with Thomas Punzmann Fine Arts, Frankfurt, Germany
Thomas Punzmann Fine Arts, Frankfurt, Germany
Collaborative Concepts at Saunders Farm, Garrison, NY
Sideshow Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Exit Art, New York, NY
2009
Collaborative Concepts at Saunders Farm, Garrison, NY
2008
Sunshine International Museum, Beijing, China
Collaborative Concepts at Saunders Farm, Garrison, NY
Union Square West Group Exhibition, Tama Gallery, New York, NY
“Inside/Outside,” Maxwell Fine Art, Peekskill, NY
2004
“Precipitations London Biennale New York Pollination,” (Curated by Koan Jeff Baysa)
The Lab Gallery at Roger Smith Hotel, New York, NY
2001
Barbara Greene Fine Art, New York, NY
2000
Galerie Terre d’Art, St. Paul de Vence, France
1990
Galerie Capazza, Paris/Nançay, France
1989
Galerie Bercovy-Fugier, Paris, France
Salon International D’Arts Plastiques de Valognes, France
1986
Zeus-Trabia Gallery, New York, NY
1985
San Francisco Museum of Art, San Francisco, CA
Arco, International Contemporary Art Fair, Madrid, Spain
1984
Salon de Montrouge, Paris, France

Select Bibliography

2017
“When Paintings Awake,” Raphael Rubinstein, Essay for exhibition catalog, David & Schweitzer
Contemporary, New York, NY
Chimento Contemporary: “Straight Outta Bushwick,”Genie Davis, 2/14/2017, Art & Cake,Los Angeles, CA
“Straight Outta Bushwick,” Carolina A. Miranda, 1/5/2017,Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA
2016
Otium Magazine for Contemporary Literature: Ein Sinn für Distanz (A Sense of Distance). Gespräch mit dem bildenden Künstler und Maler C. Michael Norton (Interview with Artist C. Michael Norton) by Sarah Schuster. (2016) »Otium« Magazin für Lyrik und Prosa der Gegenwart no. 12. [ISSN 2195-8513] “Ground & Consequence: C. Michael Norton and The Color of Noise,” by David Cohen
Catalog Essay for Art Virus Ltd, Frankfurt, Germany
2015
Le Quotidien De L’Art Mardi 20n Octobre 2015, Salon Zurcher showing North American Galleries
THE LOOKOUT, “The Wolf I Feed,” Brian Morris Gallery and Buddy Warren Inc., Art in America,(June)
C. Michael Norton, Brian Morris Gallery and Buddy Warren Inc. by Alexa Lawrence, Art News, Summer 2015
Artcritical, The Review Panel, April 28, panel took place May 29, 2015 with David Cohen, Peter Plagens, Roberta Smith, Christina Kee
Gorky’s Granddaughter Studio interview by Zachary Keeting & Christopher Joy, 26 minute video,
March 15, 2015
2014
“The Temptation of Space” by Richard Vine, Black RenaissanceNoire, edited & published by the
Institute of African-American Affairs at New York University (Fall 2014)
2013
“Over The Top” by
Stephen Westfall, artdaily.com (July 2013)
2007
“Sudden Springs Suite” by Koan Jeff Baysa
“The Sudden Spring Series” by Koan Jeff Baysa, dArt International(volume 10, number 1), Miami, FL
“Tactile Abpressionism” by Koan Jeff Baysa, NY Arts(March/April 2007)
2004
“Wrangled Tebs” by Koan Jeff Baysa
2001
“Razing Spaces: The New Paintings by C. Michael Norton” by Dominique Nahas
1990
“C. Michael Norton: From the Comedy of America to the Ceremony of Life” by Isabelle Coera
1987
C. Michael Norton, featured artist, Peninsula Magazine (April 1987), San Francisco, CA
1986
Exhibition 86, 11th Annual Great American Arts Festival, Santa Clara, CA
(Alena Willcoxon/Eileen Hill/Bee Wax)
1985
“C. Michael Norton” by Jacqueline Blance, Galerie Le Chanjour,Nice, France, Kanal Magazine (01/1985)
1984
Awarded exhibition and residency grants from Ministere de la Culture, Paris, France, Commission
d’orientation des artes plastiques, Grenoble, France