The Museum’s very own Mick Newham has a show up at the Fulcrum Gallery here in Tacoma until October 12th. The pieces, large wood carvings, drawings and glass cylinders, are influenced by Aboriginal art, pop culture, and symbolism.

My husband and I went to Mick’s lecture on Sept. 28th to support him in his efforts of public speaking, and his story profoundly affected how we viewed his work and also how we viewed the process of creating our own art.

Mick has been recovering from alcoholism for sixteen years. The show, entitled Recovery Time, is a collection of his work spanning over this period of his life. His themes center on family systems, genealogy, the relationship of childhood and present day behavior and interests, and the use of recycled materials.

Growing up in Canberra, Australia in a family of six siblings, Mick reminisced about the good old days of swimming at the friend’s beach house and playing games in the bush with his brothers and sisters. In the 1980’s he spent time working in New York City at the Rivington School sculpture garden, where Mick presented some of his first metal sculptures. During this time Mick worked with many talented individuals including graffiti artist Gizmo (Geoff Gilmore) and large scale metal sculpture artist Richard Serra.

Mick’s resume is extensive. He has shown his work all over the Pacific Northwest in galleries and museums, on the east coast and internationally in France, Japan and Australia. The Fulcrum Gallery is located at 1308 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, and is open Thursdays from 6-9 pm, as well as Saturdays and Sundays from 12-6 pm. Mick Newham will be on display until October 12th.