Michael Banks

Michael Banks was driven to create from a very young age. Raised with his five siblings by his mother – and biggest champion – in an Alabama housing project, there was no money for traditional art supplies, so he painted with whatever he could get his hands on.

A deeply creative person, experimentation and resourcefulness have always been integral to his process. His presence brought excitement to the folk genre, creating a bridge for several younger painters to follow. His technique typically involves applying his paint to salvaged materials and etching fine lines into the surface to create details and symbols that are often left to the interpretation of the viewer.

Michael has abandoned tradition on many levels and his work has been instrumental in contemporizing the idea of what folk art is, thereby bringing the genre to a wider audience. His work is collected by folk and contemporary art lovers alike.

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Selected Works

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