Opening Reception: Michael Goldberg: Solo Exhibition
Hudson Hall at the historic Opera House presents an exhibition of monotypes, drawings, mixed media/collages and sculpture by Upstate New York-based artist and former graphic designer Michel Goldberg. Known for his mastery of the monotype process and evocative approach to materials, Goldberg’s work invites viewers into dreamlike worlds where texture, mood, and memory converge.
Predominantly in black and white, Goldberg’s prints are remarkable for their ability to evoke fleeting sensory elements like smoke, water, or vapor, creating imagery that feels light and intangible. Like an elite dancer, his practice is one of embodied skill and creative spontaneity. With a deep understanding of the organic materials he uses and the alchemy of the printing process, Goldberg has refined his technique over years of repetition and experimentation.
The woods around his home in Freehold, New York, provide inspiration, with the rusted metal, stones, twigs, and decaying leaves he finds offering often surprising new forms and textures in his studio. The result is work that feels effortless and natural, with each element – paper, ink, found object – in conversation with the other.
Works like Suite Nautique #2 (2008, pictured left) immerse viewers in luminous, miniature universes, while Terra Incognita #3 (2021, pictured below) juxtaposes dense, grounded textures with delicate, translucent layers. As Dominique Nahas notes in his essay, The Imagining Worlds of Michel Goldberg, “Goldberg’s sensitivity to surfaces and to the haptic are derived not only from his involvement with printmaking but also from his long commitment with the one-on-one challenges of shaping and shapeshifting differently realized three dimensional forms, sculptures that are constructed out of steel using mig welding or involve hand-chiseling, shaping and smoothing stone such as Italian Alabaster.” Each of his pieces invite viewers to linger and explore their intricate details, from delicate brushstrokes to layered textures. Goldberg’s art feels like a personal journey into the unknown, offering glimpses into hidden aspects of the self. His creative process is both deeply personal and unpredictable, making his work a profound reflection of inner exploration.
Michel Goldberg was born in Paris, France, and came to the United States in 1948 at the age of eight. After graduating from The Pratt Institute, he worked in graphic and exhibition design for Will Burtin, one of the foremost information designers of the 20th Century, and for Clarke & Way (The Thistle Press) in limited editions and fine binding. He was a member of the faculty at The Pratt Institute where he taught Graphic Design and Visual Communications. 
After many years as a graphic designer, including having his own design firm in New York City, Michel transitioned to becoming a fine artist and pursuing his lifelong interest in drawing, printmaking and sculpture. Monotype printmaking is his principal vehicle for the visceral exploration into the mysterious world of black and white.
His drawings, monotypes and sculptures have been exhibited in various shows including the recent survey of contemporary monotypes and monoprints at The Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild in Woodstock NY, The Arts Student League in NYC, and in galleries in Alabama and Florida, as well as several private collections.
