Michael Dean

Michael Dean

BornNationalityBased In
1977BritishLondon
Biography

Michael Dean explores the relationship between text and physicality by utilizing techniques from sculpture, writing, and typography. By employing common materials like steel, concrete, MDF, padlocks, and dyed books, he creates immersive sculptural installations by transforming his writing into physical forms, such as letter-like human-scale figures and self-published books, which serve as sculptural elements within his installations. Although he is interested in transforming language, his sculptures are not meant to be read as words but rather as an alternative form of language. Dean has designed a series of typographic alphabets himself to develop his own personal language, which is reflected in his sculptures. His works explore the timeless subject of human intimacy, with recurring references to the human body, including casts of his children's limbs, fists, and fingers, as well as his own, complete with drilled-out eye holes and tongue muscles. The tongue and its ability to feel, taste, and shape words, holds particular interest for Dean. ...

Selected Artworks
Unfucking Titled (fuck)
Michael Dean
Unfucking Titled (fuck), 2021
175 x 67 x 55cm
Laughing for crying
Michael Dean
Laughing for crying, 2019
Focusing on the floor from the rain
Michael Dean
Focusing on the floor from the rain, 2019
Unfuckingtitled (snake and or ladder) 4
Michael Dean
Unfuckingtitled (snake and or ladder) 4, 2025
205 x 62 x 5cm
Unfuckingtitled) music playing
Michael Dean
Unfuckingtitled) music playing, 2023
178 x 113 x 54cm
Unfuckingtitled (music playing)
Michael Dean
Unfuckingtitled (music playing), 2023
89 x 65 x 8cm
Gallery Representation
Biennals
Manifesta2018
Manifesta2018
Unlock Price & Inquiry Access