Michael Arcega
Past Artist In Residence
2008

Informed by my childhood in the Philippines and an increasing social awareness, the content of my work is grounded in the darker regions of human behavior. I gravitate towards historical injustices that echo our present circumstances. To create an interesting counter point, I balance it with a levity infused with corny jokes and satire, using comedic strategies to defuse overtly dispiriting subjects. The humorous aspect of my work is delivered through language and non-traditional art materials. Tongue-in-cheek wordplay and double entendres add layers of content that can be interpreted in many ways. They also serve as portals into the subtext of the work. My materials often embody a historical value that further complicates the content of the piece.