A Simple Line

The Form and Space of Michael Gitlin

Michael Gitlin is a contemporary sculptor, painter, printmaker, and university teacher. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, his family emigrated to Israel in 1948. His academic background includes studying English Literature and Art History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, alongside studies at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. Gitlin later moved to New York City, where he earned an MFA from the Pratt Institute.

His artistic practice is characterized as abstract and reductive. Gitlin began his career working in three dimensions, utilizing paper as a medium rather than a support, and later transitioned to working with wood. Many of his sculptures are wall pieces that rely on architecture for physical and contextual support. In recent years, his material palette has expanded to include steel wool, copper wire, foam, and black spandex, while drawing remains a demanding component of his project.

Exhibitions and Academic Career

Gitlin's work has been exhibited in numerous international locations, including the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the ICC Antwerp, and the Guggenheim Museum in New York. His museum shows have spanned from the Kunsthalle Mannheim to the Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen. His sculptures are held in various prestigious collections, such as the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the British Museum in London.

Throughout his career, Gitlin has held teaching positions at several notable institutions, including: