Michael C. Thorpe American, b. 1993

Michael C. Thorpe (born 1993, NY) is an innovative artist based in Brooklyn, New York, primarily known for his textile work. Raised in Newton, MA, he graduated from Emerson College with a degree in photojournalism. Thorpe pushes the boundaries of traditional quilting, often describing his practice as "painting" with fabric. His work exists in a unique space between abstract painting and figurative quilting. Bold colors, raw edges, and powerful compositions redefine a medium often considered matronly and docile. Through quilting, he explores themes of identity, social issues, humor, and sports.

Although Thorpe’s practice is ever-evolving, certain signature aspects of his process remain constant. He employs automatism in his creative process, establishing personal rules and structuring his time to allow his subconscious mind more freedom and fluidity. This approach, combined with his active resistance to traditional color theory, gives Thorpe's compositions a strong sense of individuality. His pieces often leave space for viewer interpretation, as his titles and depictions feel like puzzles, encouraging deeper engagement and personal meaning.

Thorpe has garnered significant recognition with solo exhibitions in prestigious galleries and museums. He has had solo exhibitions at LaiSun Keane Gallery (Boston, MA), Forum Gallery (NYC, NY), Luis Buhl Gallery (Detroit, MI), and Anthony Gallery (Chicago, IL). His solo museum exhibitions include the Paul R. Jones Museum (Tuscaloosa, AL), Delaware Contemporary (Wilmington, DE), Fuller Craft Museum (Brockton, MA), Hickory Museum of Art (Hickory, NC), and the forthcoming California Heritage Museum (Santa Monica, CA). His work has been shown at multiple art fairs, including Untitled Miami, Spring/Break NYC, Art on Paper NYC, Art Miami, Expo Chicago, and the forthcoming Swab Barcelona. His work is also part of the permanent collections at the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA), Fuller Craft Museum (Brockton, MA), and the Birmingham Museum of Art (Birmingham, AL).

LaiSun Keane has worked with Michael since the summer of 2020.