Michael Scoggins’ trademark stick figures and child-like handwriting delivers a characteristically disarming, ironic, ingenuous, and insightful message on the relationship between society and politics in ‘Army Men’. Drawn on a torn piece of paper resembling a notebook page, Scoggins’ graphite illustration mimics the naïve perspective of a child on war. Simply denoted as ‘Army Men’ and ‘Bad Guys’, the scene is divided, with Scoggins placing the American flag on the side of the ‘Army Men’ who are positioned to attack, while a figure on the ‘Bad Guys’ side mourns over the body of his fallen compatriot. Playful yet honest, Scoggins’ charming work addresses complex issues concerning the American youth’s interpretation of patriotism.

American artist Michael Scoggins (b. 1973) raises compelling questions concerning America’s society in today’s state of political unrest, civil inequality, war crimes, and corporate greed. Referencing these issues through seemingly naïve and light-hearted illustrations reminiscent of doodles of action figures on homework assignments, Scoggins alludes to a loss of innocence. Scoggins received his BA from Mary Washington College in studio art and political science (1998), then continued his art practice at the renowned Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture (2003) followed by a MFA at the Savannah College of Art and Design (2006). He has since exhibited extensively throughout the US and Europe, with recent solo exhibitions at Galerie Jeanroch Dard, Paris, France (2010); Diana Lowenstein Fine Arts, Miami, FL (2010); Seomi & Tuus Gallery, Seoul, Korea (2009); Hilger Contemporary, Vienna, Austria (2008); and Project 4 Gallery, Washington, D.C. (2008). He has received various grants and fellowships as well as given talks at the School of Visual Arts and the Museum of Modern Art. He currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.

Select Public Collections:

Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, CA
Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY
Telfair Museum of Art, Savannah, GA
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA