michael manning

 Odyssey: new series in progress

Odyssey: Tree of Heaven

In his latest body of work, Michael Manning presents a series of paintings that use The Odyssey as a springboard to explore deeply personal stories, events, and experiences. While weaving intimate narratives with broader metanarrative themes, the connection is not only thematic but also structural—examining the interplay between abstraction and representation as a reflection of the tension between chaos and order found in Homer’s epic.

Although his work is rooted in mythology and religion, Manning’s process is driven by formal decisions of color, composition, and mark-making. This seemingly paradoxical approach, which combines formalism with storytelling, allows him to remain committed to the canvas as a medium while also investigating fundamental questions of morality and human nature.

Color and drawing have always been central to Manning’s practice, shaping the way he approaches form and composition. His work is equally informed by visual storytelling, which enhances his dedication to exploring the materiality of the medium—celebrating line as line and paint as paint.

Manning typically works within cohesive series that allow for deeper thematic exploration, enabling narratives to emerge organically. He draws from mythology and religion to reflect universal human experiences, blending the personal with the mythic to bridge past and present.

Each painting in this series originates from a deeply personal place. Recurring motifs, such as a weed tree growing defiantly in his grandmother’s cement backyard, serve as metaphors for resilience and growth. Repeated or visually similar figures appear throughout, creating continuity and inviting viewers to draw connections and experience a sense of a larger narrative within the collection.

The style and content of the work contribute to a broader visual language, one that connects to an art historical lineage and a universal messaging that resonates with a wide audience.