“I aim to make a statement with each piece, which is often the most challenging part.”
Michael K Owino: Bridging the Worlds of Sound and Sculpture
From an early age, Michael K Owino has been deeply connected to artistic creation, even if his path to recognition in the visual arts took an unexpected detour. Born with a natural talent for creating sculptures and collages, Owino’s artistic journey began when he was just six years old. His childhood creations impressed those around him, but his restless energy led him to explore other creative outlets, notably music. By the age of 15, he had secured a record deal, launching a successful career that would see him release five albums and eventually establish his own record label, a platform that has since supported hundreds of artists. While music remained a central part of his life, his creative expression began to diversify. Writing and language proficiency naturally led him to become an author, and his first book cover for Stalked (2022) garnered significant attention in the art world. This success in visual storytelling caught the eye of galleries, prompting a resurgence in his first passion: visual art.
For Owino, this transition from music and writing to visual art was not a departure but rather a return to his roots. Sculpture and mixed-media art had always been his most authentic form of self-expression, offering him a way to communicate ideas beyond the confines of language or sound. As he continues to develop his body of work, the fluidity between these different mediums—music, writing, and art—remains a defining feature of his career. His ability to bridge these various forms of expression is what makes him a unique voice in contemporary art.
Michael K Owino: Defining a Bold and Original Style
Owino’s artistic approach is shaped by his desire to create something entirely original—works that challenge conventional visual storytelling while making impactful statements. Working in mixed media, he seeks to blend the boundaries between traditional and modern techniques, often experimenting with new materials to push the limits of what has been seen in contemporary art. Despite these avant-garde leanings, he also deeply respects classical influences, frequently drawing inspiration from artists like Keith Haring, who was known for making bold societal statements through visual art. Owino admires Haring’s ability to celebrate life and connect with his audience through his vibrant style, but in contrast, Owino sees himself as a bridge between the classical and the future, seeking to move the conversation forward.
His thematic focus is often on close relationships, love, and familial bonds, subjects he feels are underexplored in today’s art world. Owino’s sculptures, for instance, have celebrated milestones like expectant parenthood and the joy of becoming a grandparent—emotional experiences that resonate universally but are rarely depicted in modern art. By engaging with these themes, he invites his audience to reflect on the significance of love and relationships in a fast-paced, technology-driven society. His works thus stand as both a celebration of life’s intimate moments and a critique of contemporary culture’s frequent neglect of such experiences.
While his pieces often make bold statements, Owino is careful to avoid imposing a single narrative on his audience. Instead, he provides viewers with visual cues that invite them to draw their own interpretations. His sculptures, collages, and paintings work together to form a visual language, one that encourages contemplation and conversation, making each piece a dialogue between the artist and the viewer.
A Creative Space Designed for Innovation
Living and working in the heart of Copenhagen, Owino has transformed his apartment into a hybrid space that serves as both his atelier and studio. The minimalist yet functional design of his home allows him to maintain a seamless flow between his various creative endeavors. Equipped with canvases, paints, and multiple computers, his workspace reflects his multi-disciplinary approach. For Owino, the proximity of his workspace to his daily life is essential. By having his bed situated within the heart of his studio, he is able to start working immediately upon waking, maximizing his productivity and immersing himself in his projects without unnecessary interruptions.
This unique setup is further complemented by access to workshops where he works on larger projects, particularly metal sculptures. Owino believes that time and logistics are critical to his creative process; the sooner he can bring an idea to life, the faster he can evaluate whether it’s worth pursuing. His systematic approach to avoiding distractions is key to his productivity. By meticulously planning his time, avoiding television, and limiting social media, he carves out the mental space necessary to focus on his artistic goals. Although his work outside the studio connects him with a global network of friends and collaborators, Owino purposely isolates himself in his creative space to maintain clarity and inspiration.
This balance between solitude and social connection is a recurring theme in Owino’s work. Having grown up as an only child, he is comfortable spending long periods alone, and this quiet time fuels his creativity. His self-discipline and careful organization are not just practical tools but an integral part of his artistic process, allowing him to immerse himself fully in his projects.
Michael K Owino: Inspirations and the Power of Meaningful Art
Owino’s greatest influences come from the contemporary artists and sculptors with whom he interacts, whether in person or online. These connections challenge him to push his boundaries and continually improve his craft. While he acknowledges the impact of classical art, it is the conversations and collaborations with living artists that drive his work forward. This dynamic, peer-driven inspiration helps him remain current in his approach, fostering an ever-evolving practice that keeps his art fresh and engaging.
One work that has deeply resonated with him is Pepón Osorio’s Badge of Honor, which he encountered at MoMA. The installation left a lasting impression on him, not only for its visual impact but for the way it contrasted glittering, idealized figures in a boy’s room with the stark reality of a prison cell. For Owino, this juxtaposition effectively highlighted social disparities, prompting a visceral response. The piece influenced his perspective on what modern art could achieve, reaffirming his belief in the power of art to make meaningful statements about societal issues.
As Owino continues to explore different mediums and themes, he remains open to new ideas but clear in his purpose. His decision to focus primarily on visual art, sculpture, and writing reflects his desire to engage deeply with these forms rather than spread himself thin across multiple disciplines. While he has plans for future projects, including upcoming ventures into glass sculptures, he feels that his current work is already a realization of his artistic dreams.
