Artist Talk: Mike Han on “United By Design” Exhibition

In his debut Detroit gallery exhibition, Mike Han: United by Design, (9/2- 9/30) Han showcases his creative practice working across disciplines inspired by his Korean heritage, graffiti, and modern design.

“In this exhibition, I’m proud to introduce The House of Han as a sustainable lifestyle brand. I think so much about how in order to create, you must destroy. How can I add value to people’s lives without harming the environment? These challenges posed in my art I seek to address with The House of Han as a product brand, creating sustainably at scale to enrich everyday life.”

The exhibit debuts various design collaborations including 3D printed tables with Haddy, a rug collection with Gardner-White Furniture, and a new modular wall art system developed with Leon Speakers. He will also exhibit recent collaborations with SEE Eyewear, CultureVerse, and Detroitissimi.

“United by Design is a showcase of my collaborations ranging from fashion to furniture, presenting work that has been sold nationwide, showcased abroad in Italy, and features a new series of Modern Vandalism paintings made on salvaged blueprints from famed Detroit architects Albert Kahn and Minoru Yamasaki.

Mike Han is a Detroit-based artist and designer. His work is a “meditative practice that seeks to develop a better understanding of self and identity while connecting deeper with people and the planet.” I strive to find dynamic balance through organic yet deliberate mark-making on carefully considered materials to explore my heritage, contemplate sustainability, and support people and projects in need.

“My process of mark-making reveals the truth that we are all connected. We are all different, yet we are also the same. We are all mark makers sharing the same place, no one better or more important than another, all essential to society. We all impact people and the planet whether we know it or not through the choices we make in our daily lives. This truth is often too close for us to see, and so my artwork is focused on revealing the under-appreciated, humble moments of life that comprise most of our lives.”

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Mike Han was born in Ann Arbor, MI to Korean immigrants. His mother landed in Detroit’s Cass Corridor and his father in Ypsilanti, both during the early 70’s. Mike is a Cheongju Han, also referred to as “House of Han”, a noble Korean family (yangban) with royal ancestry. The House of Han is also his body of work, a studio, and a home in historic Rosedale Park.

Han has exhibited artwork in Seoul, Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Miami. He has created work for clients in NYC, Chicago, and Osaka, Japan. Han has been commissioned to make art for Bloomingdale’s 150th Anniversary, Detroit Pistons, Google for Startups, Ford Motor Co., LinkedIn, Somerset Collection, and has created art installations for Red Bull, vitaminwater, and ArtPrize.

SPONSORED BY

Special thank you to Presenting Sponsor Gardner-White. This activity is supported in part by an award from the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.

Image credits: CJ Benniger