Mike Taiyou

In my artistic process, I find inspiration in the works of artists such as Pollock, Munch, Van Gogh, Baselitz, Basquiat , Teraoka and Goya. The essence of my art is characterized by vibrant colors and symbolic imagery, weaving a narrative that radiates strong emotions. What sets my work apart is the fusion of traditional techniques with contemporary street art elements, creating a unique and dynamic visual language.

At its core, my artistic vision is deeply rooted in an understanding of the human experience. I embark on explorations of complex themes of the human psyche, transcending cultural boundaries and connecting deeply on a visceral level. The synthesis of my extensive technical training and street art experience provides me with a distinctive perspective on the art world.

My creations serve as essential reflections of contemporary culture, capturing the intricate complexities and contradictions inherent in the modern world. As I continually push the boundaries of traditional art forms, my artistic practice evolves, contributing to the ever-changing landscape of artistic expression.

I was born in Washington DC, and have lived in Los Angeles for many years, my background is American Filipino.

Corcoran Museum School of Art
San Francisco City College
Notable Training:
- Mural work with the legendary Australian street artist Anthony Lister
- Painting workshops with San Francisco artist Glen Moriwaka
-Realism Painting workshops with NY artist Steven Assael
-Venetian Renaissance workshops with LA artist Cheryl Kline

Selected Exhibitions:
2019-2018:
Los Angeles Brewery Art Walk
2013:
BG Gallery at the Brewery Los Angeles
Los Angeles Big Art Lab Mural
Anastasia’s Santa Monica
San Francisco Squint Gallery, "Downtown Days"
San Francisco Crucible Steel Gallery
San Francisco Quetzal
San Francisco Presidio Herbst Exhibition Hall
Yerba Buena "New Faces"
Couture for the Cure, Toomey Tourell Art Gallery
SF Great American Music Hall, "Art and Music"
San Francisco Mission Cultural Center, "Emerging Artists"
Verds Funk, "Solo"
SF Patrick Brown Melanoma Foundation Art Auction
1111 Lounge
Chathkuse
SF City Art Co Op Gallery, "Alternative Materials"
Encore Gallery group show

Films, "Coffee and Language"
Washington DC, "Alternative Spaces"
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Artists Gallery

I draw inspiration from a diverse range of subcultures that shaped my formative years. From traversing the West Coast through skateboarding and hitchhiking to immersing in the electronic music scene, desert landscapes, and the culture of Burning Man, these experiences influence my artistic creations . Artists such as Jackson Pollock, Van Gogh,Jean Dubuffet, Basquiat, Baselitz, and Caravaggio as well as street artists are a heavy influence as well as the German Neo Romanticists.

street art, colorful, yellow, vibrant, abstract, urban