CM-002: "After Marcel Duchamp" Mixed Media Compostion by Mike Kilgore


"After Marcel Duchamp" is a mixed media compostion by emerging artist, Mike Kilgore who lives, works and practices Capoeira in New Orleans. "After Marcel Duchamp" was inspired by and created from recycled scrap building materials taken directly from the rennovation of the building where he practices capoeira in New Orleans.

My art is an allegory of social justice, a manifestation of my belief in equality and human dignity. It is an abstract narrative of the failures and injustices that plague human society as well as the struggle and the reward in overcoming them.

My work is a composition of scrap materials and found pieces that most people would consider trash. I find inspiration and art supplies in the things that others have discarded. By including these things in art that is intriguing and relevant, I seek to demonstrate their value through their contributions to my work and the valuable they add to society. Although many people overlook and underestimate their worth, my work demonstrates the inspirational and aesthetic value of these things. This process is a lesson for the validation and redemption of those whose value and human dignity is not recognized by others.

I am also interested in demonstrating the virtues and rewards of recycling and being environmentally responsible by recognizing the value of scarce resources and of the things around us and finding creative ways to reduce and reuse. My art is a response to the wastefulness and throwaway mentality of our modern, instant gratification oriented society, the role this plays in the way we treat our environment, our fellow human beings and the things around us. It is not intended as condemnation but as redemption; a demonstration of virtue and its rewards.

- Mike Kilgore

Capoeira has been described as “art, dance, a fight, a way of life.” It is an art form that was created during colonial periods in Brazil. African slaves developed it as a form of self defense against those who enslaved them to help gain freedom. Capoeira is an exciting fusion of martial arts, dance, music, and acrobatics which build strength, flexibility, endurance, balance and rhythm.

Dimensions: 9"h x 16"w x 3"d