Meditation and Street Art Converge as One Artist’s Path Unfolds

When this self-taught artist isn't applying his PhD in political science towards solving issues of national security, he turns his attention to inspiring social change.

Michael Fischerkeller takes a moment to share with us his passion and drive for transformation.

What are you presently inspired by?

I am presently and always inspired by truth and motivated by the power of the collective to act once it sees truth.

Is there something you are currently working on, or are excited about starting?

I am currently cutting stencils for what will be the third artwork in my climate change series, (right is "Rising Seas" from artist Michael Fischerkeller's newest series on climate change) each of which highlights an extreme weather event that is a consequence of unequivocal climate change – drought, rising sea levels, and wildfires. I am also refining the composition for an artwork that will shine a light on one of many tragedies unfolding in Syria, this one being the killing of over 11,000 innocent children since the onset of the Syrian civil war.

What does you "day job" mean to you?

I have a PhD in political science and apply that training against solving issues of national security. Just as having the opportunity to create art is a privilege, so too is the opportunity to serve the citizens of my country. My day job is a critical enabler of my art as it stimulates the intellect which, in turn, feeds my creative process.

What led you to art?

A confluence of two recent events – a heart opening which followed a significant period of meditation (through reading) and a purchase of a piece of street art. After the opening, I realized I had a mission and an opportunity, given my political science education, to use art as a vehicle to promote social change by capturing and presenting truths behind complex yet critical socio-political issues of our time. After studying the artwork, I realized the medium for presenting those truths should be spraypaint as it is a primary instrument of street artists and the “street” is most often and most severely deprived of social justice.

When you are in need of inspiration are there particular things you read, listen to or look at to fuel your work?

I read, and find myself regularly returning to metaphysics, most recently as embodied in a book entitled Aquinas (written by Eleonore Stump).

Words to live by… a favorite quote or motto?

“The artists job is to be a witness to his time in history” – Rauschenberg

Fischerkeller is one of the fantastic artists you'll see at uBe Art and the juried exhibiton, From Where I Stand.