Artists
Michael Markham
Career Level: Established
Medium: Drawing, Painting
Open for Commissions: Yes
I paint from the visions in my head that intuitively express dark overtones of monsters and uncertainty through a mostly surrealist view.
https://markhamartist1.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MarkhamArtist
https://www.instagram.com/markhamartist
https://www.youtube.com/user/radarmedia
About
Markham is a surrealist pop artist based in Detroit, known for remixing cultural icons and personal symbols into dreamlike scenes of chaos and beauty. His one-of-a-kind works explore the grotesque and the iconic, often through the lens of retro nostalgia, monsters, and raw emotion. His art doesn’t match your furniture, it challenges your perception.
Markham’s vivid paintings and murals have appeared in galleries, public installations, and private collections around the world. His works have been featured in publications such as The Finger Mag, Propulsion Magazine, Studio Visit, Ink and Voices, and Anima Mundi.
Drawing inspiration from Dalí, Da Vinci, and H.R. Giger, along with 1980s horror, Atari cartridges, and rock iconography, Markham embraces a surrealist approach to explore the “beautiful ugly side of life.” His work defies boundaries, capturing themes many shy away from with raw, expressive force.
As a drummer and vocalist in Detroit’s underground music scene, Markham brings a rhythmic, introspective edge to his portraits. His visual tributes like the hauntingly juxtaposed versions of Paul McCartney in "Didn’t Know What I Would Find There", blend memory, myth, and meaning with arresting impact.
Artist Statement
Celebrating and breathing new life into lost counter culture. Pop for the sake of pop; surreal for the sake of the surreal, and art reflecting the mirror to reveal the beautiful ugly side of life that has no boundaries.
Gallery
Past Exhibitions:
• Haunted Art Party, Art Wear House [Muskegon, MI] (2025-10-23 thru 2025-11-06)
• WCCCD Community Consciousness, Ivory Ford Gallery [Detroit, MI] (2025-09-04 thru 2025-11-05)
• Swiss Art Expo [Zurich, Switzerland] (2025-08-20 thru 2025-08-24)
• 6x6 Nothing But Squares: Pontiac Creative Arts Center [Pontiac, MI] (2025-05-10 thru 2025-06-10)
• Pancakes and Booze at Tangent Gallery [Detroit, MI] (2025-01-08)
• Maus Haus Gallery Unseen Dimensions at Hatch Art [Hamtramck, MI] (2024-12-13 thru 2024-12-15)
• Hazel Perk Café, Markham Exposed Solo Exhibition [Hazel Park, MI (2024-12-08 thru 2025-01-05)
• DAM Art for the Holidays [Detroit, MI] (2024-11-08 thru 2024-12-21)
• Flying Sideways, YMCA Solo Exhibition [Detroit, MI] (2024-11-02 thru 2024-12-02)
• Vibrant Views, The Congregation [Detroit, MI] (2024-10-29 thru 2024-12-01)
• Haunted Art Show, Doo Gallery [Muskegon, MI] (2024-10-18 thru 2024-11-01)
• Art Collide "Open Theme: Fall 2024" Exhibition [Online] (2024-10-02 thru 2024-11-02)
• 8th Annual Planet 9 Film Fest [Detroit, MI] (2024-08-31)
• The 4th Annual Create Arts Festival [Detroit, MI] (2024-08-24)
• Strike a Pose 2: Portrait Show [Hazel Park, MI] (2024-08-01 thru 2024-08-11)
• Lucania Lavish: The Annual Lavish Fashion Show [Detroit, MI] (2024-05-11)
• A Great Honk Production: Cinco de Mayo, Island Park [Ann Arbor, MI] (2024-05-05)
• 7th Annual Planet 9 Film Fest [Hamtramck, MI] (2024-01-13)
• Que Deli [Detroit, MI] (2023-12-04-present)
• Expo Metro: The World’s Largest Collective Outdoor Exhibition [Manhattan, NY] (2023-12-03 & 12-04)
• Birmingham Art Walk [Birmingham, MI] (2023-10-12)
• Haunted Hills Music, Art, & Hearse Fest 2023 (2023-10-11)
• Punx For Paws Cat Party [Detroit, MI] (2023-09-23)
• The 3rd Annual Create Arts Festival [Detroit, MI] (2023-08-19)
• Tommystock [Lake Orion, MI] (2023-07-29)
• Impaler Fest [Hamtramck, MI] (2023-07-15)
• Palmer Park Art Fair [Detroit, MI] (2023-06-03 and 06-04)
• Connected To All Exhibition [Detroit, MI] (2023-05-19 thru 05-21)
• Detroit Contemporary: Spring Salon [Detroit, MI] (2023-04-08 thru 04-29)
• 6th Annual Planet 9 Film Fest [Hamtramck, MI] (2023-01-07)
• Michigan Expo [Sterling Heights, MI] (2022-12-9 thru 12-11)
• Fantasticon [Port Huron, MI] (2022-11-19)
• Antisocial III [Hamtramck, MI] (2022-10-14)
• Punx For Paws Cat Party [Detroit, MI] (2022-09-17)
• Hamtramck Music Fest (Disco Walls) [Hamtramck, MI] (2022-08-13)
• Pontiac Arts Crawl [Pontiac, MI] (2022-07-22)
• Hell-O Summer Fest [Hell, MI] (2022-06-18)
• Detroit Uncommon Pop-up Shop [Detroit, MI] (2022-04-08, 2022-04-09, & 2022-04-16)
• Farmington Hills Public Arts Program [Farmington Hills, MI] (2022-03-04 to 2024-03)
• Fantasticon [Port Huron, MI] (2021-11-20)
• 5th Annual Planet 9 Film Fest [Hamtramck, MI] (2021-11-14)
• Birmingham Day On the Town [Birmingham, MI] (2021-07-31)
• Barter Detroit Solo Exhibition [Detroit, MI] (2021-07-10 to 2021-09-30)
• Boogie Down Block Party [Detroit, MI] (2021-07-10)
• Celebration of Freedom Art Expo [Detroit, MI] (2021-06-19)
• DAM Elements Gallery [Detroit, MI] (2021-02-08)
• UIO Work Party [Highland Park, MI] (2021-02-06)
• Detroit Artists Market: Art for the Holidays [Detroit, MI] (2020-11-13 to 2020-12-30)
• Damned Show Showcase Exhibition [Detroit, MI] (2020-10-30)
• 20 After 4 Meet and Greet [Livonia, MI] (2020-10-23)
• City of Oak Park AC/DC Quarterly Exhibit [Oak Park, MI] (2020-07-30 to 2020-10-31)
• Fallen Stars 4, Studio 8700 [Oak Park, MI] (2020-03-07)
• The Spirit of Art, Detroit Unity Temple [Detroit, MI] (2020-02-09 to 2020-02-29)
• Le Mort des Limites (The Death of Limitations Art Festival) [Hamtramck, MI] (2019-11-29 to 2019-11-30)
• The Damned Show 12, Tangent Gallery [Detroit, MI] (2019-10-24 to 2019-10-26)
• 4th Annual Planet 9 Film Fest, Ant Hall [Hamtramck, MI] (2019-10-20)
• T’s n’ a Matinee, The Phoenix 510 [Hazel Park, MI] (2019-10-19)
• Anima Mundi Exhibition, Pallazo Ca’ Zanardi [Venice, Italy] (2019-10-03 to 2019-11-24)
• Squid Ink Gallery, Art Inspired by Music [Antioch, CA] (2019-09-18 to 2019-12)
• Artcall.org, Summer 2019 Portfolio Art Show [Salt Lake City, UT] (2019-09-18 to 2019-10-01)
• Lawrence Street Gallery: Summer Invitational [Ferndale, MI] (2019-07-05 to 2019-07-26)
• Psychedelic Shack [Detroit, MI] (2019-06-27 to 2019-09-28)
• Detroit Showcase, Tangent Gallery [Detroit, MI] (2019-05-30)
• Mix with a Maker Pop-Up Art Show, Gallerie Camille [Detroit, MI] (2019-04-17)
• Embrace Creatives, Warmth Exhibit [Detroit, MI] (2019-03-01 to 2019-04-01)
• J. Mane Gallery, Colors Exhibit [New York, NY] (2018-12-01 to 2018-12-31)
• The Damned Show 11, Tangent Gallery [Detroit, MI] (2018-10-25 to 2018-10-27)
• Northville Art House, West of Center Exhibit [Northville, MI] (2018-09-07 to 2018-09-29)
• St. Andrews Hall, Pancakes & Booze Art Show [Detroit, MI] (2018-05-17)
• Featured artist in the inkandvoices.com Colors of the Mind series (2018-05)
• Eastern Market, Live Art Detroit [Detroit, MI] (2016-08-21)
• Blick Art Materials [Royal Oak, MI] (2016-07-11 to 2016-07-29)
• Tangent Gallery, Detroit Zombie Apocalypse [Detroit, MI] (2016-04-18)
• The Ritz [Warren, MI] (2015-03-20)
• DiMaggio Fine Art & Jewelry [Lathrup Village, MI] (2014-Present)
• University of Michigan, Social Justice Art Festival [Ann Arbor, MI] (2014-03-29)
• State Theater Gallery [Ann Arbor, MI] (2013-07 thru 2015-07)
• University of Michigan, Allies for Disability Awareness [Ann Arbor, MI] (2013-10-21 to 2013-11-01)
• Motor City Art Collective [Detroit, MI] (2013-06-14 to 2013-08-14)
• Sherwood Forest Art [Detroit, MI] (2012-present)
• DiMaggio Group Companies [Lathrup Village, MI] (2012-2013)
• Hybrid Moments [Ferndale, MI] (2010)
• New York Art and Jewelry Liquidators [Lathrup Village, MI] (2009)
• Mid-Summer Expo [Detroit, MI] (2009)
• Xcape Con 2 [Birch Run, MI] (2008)
• Pan African Film Festival 14 [Los Angeles, CA] (2009-01)
• The Future Gallery [Clinton Twp., MI] (2008)
• The Day's Inn [Hazel Park, MI] (2008)
• Xcape Con [Flint, MI] (2007)
• The Future Gallery [Clinton Twp., MI] (2007)
• BF Goodrich Building [Detroit, MI] (2006)
• Edgewise 4th Friday's Storefront Exhibit [Detroit, MI] (2006-07 to 2006-08)
• Elaine L. Jacob Gallery, Wayne State University [Detroit, MI] (2005)
• 555 Gallery West "Open House" exhibit [Detroit, MI] (2005)
• Pat's Portrait Studio [Grosse Pointe Farms, MI] (1999)
• MCC Student Showcase [Warren, MI] (1998)
• New York National Scholastic Art Awards [Manhattan, NY] (1995)
• East Detroit High School Student Work Exhibition [Eastpointe, MI] (1994)
• Mt. Clemens Art Center [Mt. Clemens, MI] (1990)
• Comix Corner [Fraser, MI] (1988-1989)
Press & Media Links:
https://youtu.be/I34qjH2tof0?si=tJoxn3s-gSLjB4eC
https://youtu.be/UxE4TsVgtMs?si=RijLacgEynU3zkQz
https://markhamartist1.com/press