Michael Dean

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.