Friday, 30 September 2011 06:29

Michael Golland is someone I would describe as a journeyman, always longing for peace of mind, who finally found it among his peers in Toronto’s Liberty Village.I first met Michael in a chance encounter. I had no idea at the time who he was. However there was a captivating energy that made me want to know him better. In a recent interview he spoke about the first time he went skiing in France with a dear friend. He was on top of the mountain and although his friend was an experienced skier, Michael was not. He recalls, as if in slow motion, how he progressed down the mountain and picked up speed. It seemed to him that he was being guided - it was natural - and he was fully “in the moment” as he began to ski. Somehow some force, something he believed to be magical, was guiding him. He was “in the flow”.That moment, that feeling of being in tune with the universe, Michael tells us has guided him ever since as an artist.Having found his own peace, Michael is striving to convey that feeling of being in tune with nature to those who come into contact with his work.

He hopes that his audience will reach as deeply into their consciousness as he has, and does. This is his message. He wants people to be captivated, to find and immerse themselves in their flow of consciousness. Michael’s art is about finding the Zen within and connecting to its powerful energy. His paintings are unique and recognizable. Fluid lines dance across the canvas creating trajectory spaces filled with monochromatic colors. He aims to draw connections between the objects, the lines, the space, the spirit within and the essence of life itself. Michael was born in Yorkshire, England during the Second World War. As a child, he was fascinated by trains and was persistent in his search for something more meaningful in his life. By the age of three, Michael ran away from home, a precursor to future events in his life. Growing up he was constantly trying to understand what he lacked in his life, what was missing. He recounts a story of his father’s mansion with its many rooms, where he was sick of being in the basement. Michael wanted to live in the top floor of the house; he wanted to travel out of the darkness and into the light. In his twenties, Michael had what he called a melancholic awakening, experiencing prophetic visions. His awakening within, his calling, was for him a sign that he was embarking on a spiritual journey. Michael recognized a strong connection to what he calls the weeping line. This weeping line is visible in Michael’s work; abstract lines show connections, create space and transcend one canvas in order to form a relationship with another. Michael refers to the weeping line as Weeping with dry tears, weeping over one’s past memories, weeping in not being able to face the future, weeping because one is self connected, weeping is joy.Michael longs to feel connected in an unconnected world.

Being an artist is like being a priest, it is a social occupation where at times you feel unworthy and then feel fulfilled.Like the artist, the willow tree finds comfort near water; it spreads its roots quickly, but spreads them outward rather than downward. It is an image of one who finds comfort in feelings and emotions. The weeping tree is a metaphor for Michael. Over time he has experienced lamenting sadness, self destruction and continuous renewal. Michael destroyed many canvasses when he didn’t feel connected to the direct experience he wanted to illuminate through his work. This is all part of his liberating peregrination! Following the wishes of his father, Michael graduated from Engineering in Sheffield, England. This served as an artistic stepping stone for Michael and he began creating modern artistic jewelry. That activity drove Michael’s creative passion and he began to construct sculptures and to paint. He said a painting appears to move, it moves within the self, it represents continuous movement which moves the universe.This is something that very much moved me. As time passes, I have come to learn much about this magnificent artist and I long to share with you openly a part of what he likes to keep hidden in mystery. Michael has the ability to convey his strong spirit and passion for life through his artwork. There was a void present for most of Michael’s life and as he grew more mature he found art to be something that fulfilled the emptiness he felt within.

For him, the aim of art is to fill the void, “the lack within”. When he makes art he feels complete. Michael is most connected when he is creating art and so he aims to share with others through his work, the internal peace he has found within himself. When I chatted with Michael, I could see how many look upon him as a beacon of light and the source of so much positive energy. He began talking about how sometimes as individuals we lose our vitality and passion - our inner person has become very passive. He spoke of how as children we constantly ask questions, look for answers and want to know and learn. Children are constantly asking, “Why? What? How?” and their tone is filled with excitement and joy. However, as adults, we ask fewer and fewer questions and give out more and more of what we consider to be answers.Michael is determined to keep asking questions and keep expressing the excitement he feels as new knowledge piques his interest. Michael believes that asking questions leads to inspiration and gives light to a meaningful life that is our own pursuit, something he looks forward to, something that gives him reason for living. He said the pursuit of knowing is a feeling of things worthwhile. Michael believes in the magic and mystery that makes life vibrant. He seems determined to never lose the inner light that keeps his creative spirit alive.

THE MANY LINES IN MICHAEL’S ARTWORK ARE AN EXPRESSION OF HIS INNER DEPTH AND JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE. AS AN ACCOMPLISHED PAINTER AND SCULPTOR, MICHAEL HAS LIVED AND WORKED IN ENGLAND, ITALY, THE USA, AND MEXICO. CURRENTLY, HE MAINTAINS A STUDIO IN TORONTO, CANADA. HIS ARTWORK IS AS DYNAMIC AND VIBRANT AS HE IS AS AN ARTIST. HIS WORK CAN BE FOUND IN NUMEROUS PRIVATE COLLECTIONS AROUND THE WORLD.

Mercado News Magazine