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Markus

Sculpture / Installation, Visual / Media

Markus – Abstract Multi-Media Artist

My work is often called primitive, post-apocalyptic, even futuristic. I don’t object to any of these descriptions, as I’m not consciously pursuing any specific aesthetic. I simply collect and combine battered and discarded objects that to me reflect the emotions of the human narrative, and allow them to tell their stories as they wish. They are each a travelogue of the roads we all walk and endure until some sense of new purpose or rebirth is realized. The viewer will have their own unique history and experiences, and will bring their own meaning and significance to each piece.

About the Artist

Markus – Abstract Multi-Media Artist  Markus is a self-taught multimedia artist who uses found objects and reclaimed materials in his abstract sculptures and paintings. His works have been purchased by collectors across the United States, and in countries as far flung as Australia. His assemblage pieces often contain personal items collected from childhood, as well as objects scavenged from the alleys of his home city of Baltimore. His paintings are made mostly on panels of repurposed wood with acrylic, latex and spray paints. As an artist for 35 years, Markus has worked in numerous aspects of creative art, including poetry, music, acting, graphic design and animation. In 2014, he focused his attention on visual art, creating abstract sculptures of wood, metal, concrete and glass, and then later pursued his earlier interest in abstract painting. Markus often works in series that share a related style or visual language. These series can number anywhere from 4 to over 50. He rarely pursues statements or social commentary with his work, preferring to create intuitively and reach the viewer on a purely emotional level. He creates commissioned works in a wide variety of styles and materials. Most notably, a sculpture garden for an East Coast collector, begun in 2021. These outdoor installations of copper, steel and found objects vary in size from 3 feet tall to over 10 feet in height. Markus began working as an artist-on-retainer for a private collector in 2022, and provides them with commissioned pieces on a monthly basis. In 2015, he worked with the Overlea Community Association to create the Overlea ArtsFest, and has served as its curator and head juror since it was launched. Markus is represented by Carol Stover, who can be contacted at carol@rustynailworks.com.     

Markus website Baker Artist portfolio page Markus website Etsy site to purchase 2D & 3D artwork Markus website General website for art, poetry & acting

Featured Work

Photos

The Dragoman's Key series illustrates my obsession with revering objects that most consider useless by placing them in a context of worship. A rusty bolt, a broken window or a chunk of battered wood is freed from its former mundane purpose and is now elevated to a status of pure beauty. What we discard says more about us than what we keep. With this series I experimented with a more intentionally bright color palette than I normally do.
This and a few other all-white series were inspired by a gallery where I had a solo show, where one room of the venue was painted completely black. I knew I had to create something specifically for that space. I chose to focus purely on texture and stark contrast using basic building materials and easily identifiable as well as somewhat cryptic found objects.
The Brush-off series came about as a result of the inevitable pile of ruined paint brushes after years of home renovations. Soaking them in lacquer thinner and then forgetting about them caused all the bristles to fall out completely. I decided to do something creative with them, so I made pieces of art depicting useless paint brushes. It was so much fun I made 8 of them, and have done 2 more series of 8 since then. All but 4 have been sold.
"Skysifter" is a 10-foot tall (above ground), 3-sided triangular commission piece constructed of copper pipe, steel, copper fittings and found objects, bolted together and set into concrete, 3 feet below the ground surface. It was installed on the property of a collector in Davidsonville, MD.
"Dreaming City G" is the first and largest in a planned series of shadowbox-style assemblage pieces, using large vintage letters from advertising marquees and vintage magazine ads. The assemblage was done in multiple layers which were then coated with a slightly reflective clear varnish. It is meant to give the feeling of a large and decaying city with traffic lights, intersections, and billboards. The piece took nearly 2 years to complete. It is currently on display at Katsea Gallery in Towson, MD.
"Marquis" is made from wood, found objects, paint and stain, and stands approximately 24" x 84" x 18." It is currently on display at Katsea Gallery in Towson, MD. This piece disassembles for transport and can be reassembled and set up by the artist if purchased.

Booking

Markus is available for solo and group shows in the mid-Atlantic area. He is also available for personal or corporate commissions of any size. For info, please contact his agent Carol Stover at carol@rustynailworks.com or 410-961-6293.