Michael Stenerson’s show, “The Art of Saying No,” runs through August at the ArtiFactory Gallery (120 N. Dubuque St). The show features paintings and drawings in the graffiti-based genre of Style Writing. This art movement was birthed on the NYC subways in the late 1960s and pioneered in the 1970s and 80s. The art focuses on letterforms and the abstraction of a letter’s architecture. Color, movement, and form are central to the exploration and research of these themes.
“What’s always drawn me to graffiti is its energy,” he says, “the raw, expressive quality of it, and especially the way artists interpret and manipulate letters… My work doesn’t always carry literal meaning, but I hope it sparks an emotional reaction. It’s less about reading the piece and more about feeling it.”
Michael grew up skateboarding, doing graffiti, photography, and music. He has continued to refine his craft and consistently stay creative throughout the years. Along with painting and music, he has worked as a professional photographer for most of his career.
The gallery is open Wednesday and Friday 4-6 pm and Saturday 1-3 pm. Admission is free.
