We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michael Coppage a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Yes! I’m thrilled to be a working artist. I took 10 years off after graduate school and worked a regular job. I worked two jobs as a matter of fact. When I wasn’t working, I was traveling abroad. I believed I was always an artist and figured out ways to center art in my job(s). The first job was in a hospital. I was a mental health specialist and I used art to engage patients and prompt difficult conversations. The second job took longer to center art but eventually I was able to change my title and position to facilitate therapeutic art-based groups as well as work within the organization to provide aesthetic direction to make the residential spaces more therapeutic. I think regular jobs gift us specific knowledge sets that informs our artwork in unique ways that make it better.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started making drawings as a kid. I was always on punishment and spent a lot of time drawings in my room. I continued to pursue art as a major in high school and then college. After college I took a break that lasted 10 years after being disappointed with the direction my work was going. After finding my voice I decided to attempt to build my practice. I began sharing stories about the Black experience and the work expanded to include topics addressing intersectionality, power dynamics and interrogation of language. I take very complicated topics, narratives and realities and distill them down to simple, palatable and understandable images and objects. What sets me apart from others is my use of a broad range of materials ranging from paint and lens-based works to bronze sculpture and performance works. I want clients and followers to understand that my work is byproduct of the moment we currently live. I’m documenting the present in the midst of so many historic, once in a lifetime moments.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I have many goals but the biggest one are:

Depicting the humanity of the Black diaspora by sharing stories, elevating voices and dissecting social constructions.

Becoming a part of the art historical record for generations to come

Setting up a trust for my disabled son so he will be taken care of after I’m gone.

Everything else is secondary.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I like the Art 21 videos on Youtube. I hope to have one created around my work one day but I like learning about the perspectives and philosophy of other artists. Hearing how folks talk about their work helps anchor my own viewpoints and motivations. We are all on different paths and learning about the path other folks are on helps to more clearly define the path I walk.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.MichaelCoppageArt.com
• Instagram: @michael_coppage
• Facebook: Michael Coppage
• Linkedin: Michael Coppage
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/RgA83gDmBhE
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/6xMoshrMplt04YPLhRZjBP