Michael Stillion’s work explores the human condition through emotionally charged, visually layered compositions. In And then it was flowers Stillion presents recent paintings, works on paper, ceramic sculptures, and an animation, all which depict vessels with human-like features.

These expressive containers rendered with skilled, illusionistic trompe-l’oeil techniques demonstrate processes of decay and in/visibility. Often paired with exaggerated poppy flowers and realistic flies, Stillion’s paintings serve as metaphors for fragility, impermanence, transition, and pollination.

Stillion pulls from a wide variety of influences, including pop culture from his childhood in the 1980s and early 90s, particularly that of the iconic cartoon character Bart Simpson and Nike’s Jordan Jumpman shoes stylized after basketball superstar Michael Jordan. The artist also references rural Ohio landscapes and touchstones of art history.

The works in And then it was flowers Stillion also speak to Stillion’s interest in the passage of time, which he compares to shifts that are slow and, “subtle enough that in the moment you don’t necessarily notice that it’s happening, but if you’re away from it long enough and you come back to it, you see it.”

The presentation of Michael Stillion: And then it was flowers at CAC is supported by Anonymous, Mr. Phillip J. Nuxhall, Bella, Sara + Michelle Vance Waddell, and Kristin Zelinskas. In-Kind support provided by Matthew Board.

CAC major annual operating support is provided by ArtsWave, Lucinda Barnes, Gale + Dave Beckett, Bruce Family Charitable Foundation, Dr. Albert Alan Chambers, Jay Chatterjee, Robert + Debra Chavez, James A. Cheng, Michael Cioffi, DaSci Consulting Group LLC, Nicholas Dunigan, Dianne G. Dunkelman, Earthward Bound Foundation, Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc., Friedlander Family Fund, Amy Goodwin, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Andrew Howe Family Foundation, The Johnson Foundation, Eric + Jan-Michele Kearney, Kettering Family Philanthropies, Claudia Kohlman, Emily Kokenge + David Kitchings, The Kroger Company, George + Linda Kurz, Bruce Lazarus + Phil Weintraub, Patrick Mathews, Rick Michelman + Karen Meyer, Ohio Arts Council, Denise Osterhues, Jennie Rosenthal, Kitty + Dick Rosenthal, Rosenthal Family Foundation, Thomas R. Schiff, John J. + Mary R. Schiff Foundation, Rosemary + Mark Schlachter, Stuart + Roz Schloss, Brian Sedra, Steve + Julie Shifman, Mu Sinclaire, Mary Taliaferro, Sara + Michelle Vance Waddell, and Chris Varias.

Curated by

Maria Seda-Reeder, CAC Adjunct Curator