By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
While looking at a blank canvas, it’s difficult to imagine what Albert Einstein, Moses, shirt buttons, and styrofoam all have in common. But intertwine hundreds of hours of work with creativity and these separate items coalesce into a stand out, three dimensional mural.
Confused?
It’s all part of Michael Hendrix’s artistic vision to create a larger than life mural that invokes discussion with up-close viewing. The 70 year-old career automotive artist spent hundreds upon hundreds of hours creating a biblical mural that would later be accepted into the worlds largest art competition, Art Prize.
Hendrix, a 1964 Lake Orion graduate, began his creation where most men start a project, Home Depot. There he pieced together the materials which included insulation styrofoam, plywood, and lots of keys.
He began the project in January of 2015 by shaping the styrofoam with small files and knives to render a depiction of Moses holding his staff and the stone of the ten commandments. The piece is Hendrex’s depiction of Moses? life from the book of Genesis and features several highlights from his life including the parting of the Red Sea.
‘Since I’ve been retired I’ve always been doing something that’s challenging but this is definitely my toughest thing I’ve done thus far,? Hendrix said. ‘I started working on Moses in the basement and because of its size I had to move it to the garage.?
On September 9, Hendrix and his wife of more than 45 years, Brenda, will move the large 8-foot by 12-foot sheet of plywood up to Grand Rapids where Art Prize is held. This year Art Prize will feature over 1,600 artists from 48 countries spread out over three-square miles in downtown Grand Rapids. Now in its seventh year, the event that draws 400,000 people over its 19 day run will be handing out monetary prizes totaling $500,000.
‘I feel very grateful to be accepted there because it’s really difficult to get into some of the areas of Art Prize,? Hendrex said. ‘And getting it up there will be a challenge because of its size so I have to rent a U-Haul truck.?
One of the most unique features is Moses? hair which is what drew Hendrix to the piece in the first place. He was contemplating a subject matter between Albert Einstein and Moses due to the elaborate technique it would take to mimic both.
The draping beard and flowing hair of Moses was created with crochet knitting material he picked up at JoAnn Fabrics. Littered through the styrofoam are little trinkets and items picked at random including clothes pins and beads.
‘It’s mainly just to draw attention and it becomes a conversation piece,? he said. ‘There’s just a lot of different items and there’s some hidden writing all over the piece.?
Looking past the hair, Hendrix had a more emotional and spiritual reason as to why he picked Moses and it all started in 2002. It was then when he underwent two heart surgeries and almost died on the operating table. Five years later he had three brain surgeries as a result of the medication he was taking following his heart surgeries. Then shortly after, the CCS graduate suffered a stroke which impaired many of his day to day functions.
Although his short term memory was affected as was his ability to remember the proper order of things, what remained unscathed was his abilities and talents as an artist. He’s still able to paint, sculpt and draw so his Art Prize piece became a spiritually kind message of appreciation.
‘When it came down to doing Moses versus Einstein it was a way to express my thanks to God for preserving my life,? Hendrix said. ‘I’m not supposed to be here so I’m really thankful and I really wanted to show a bible story.?
This is Hendrix’s second appearance in a row for Art Prize. In 2014 he submitted a piece called ‘Council of Men (The Have and the Have Nots)? where he carved seven individual busts from styrofoam. Hendrix then meticulously carved and painted the busts to appear as if they were carved from logs of wood.
Six of the men, who appear to be prosperous, are gazing at a single man who looks disheveled and less fortunate. The engagement of the viewers is to decide for themselves whether or not the six men are gazing in compassion or disdain.
Art Prize began in 2009 after billionaire Rick DeVos announced his ideas for a radically new social experiment which would break the mold of typical art shows. The cash offerings for what would become the largest art competition in the world broke records and no one was ready for the result. More than 80,000 people attended and more than 330,000 votes would be cast for people’s favorite artists.
Art Prize 7 will run from Sept. 23 – October 11 and will be spread out through 162 venues in Michigan’s second largest city. Winners will be selected based on a 50/50 vote made up of public vote and expert jury analysis. Hendrix’s Moses piece will be located at the DeVos Place Convention Center. Anyone interested in Art Prize can get more information at artprize.org