Michelle Robinson of Seattle, who creates art as Mister Michelle, embraces texture, color and geometric structures in her work. She was one of seven international artists who re-envisioned Oscar for this year's campaign.
Robinson imagined Oscar in an ornate theater reminiscent of Hollywood’s Golden Age—“a renowned figure centered proudly as the heart and soul within this architectural body”—evoking this feeling with colorful lines surrounding the statuette and scalloped shapes behind it. Her love of gold leaf suits Oscar perfectly.
It was in the storied film palaces of the 1920s and ’30, “behind towering velvet curtains and beneath elaborately decorated walls and ceilings, that curious minds first began to fall in love with movies,” she says.
As an artist and as a film fan, she delights in discovery, evolution and change.
“My style is continually transforming,” she says, “and I find great pleasure in welcoming this creative metamorphosis.”
Here are Robinson's top picks for the movies that most inspired her.
I enjoy the fantastically dark and humorous undertones of all Tim Burton films. This particular one stole my heart when I was younger. It was my go-to feel-good movie when I was feeling anxious or down. I low-key wanted to be the rebellious gothic teenager Lydia. She seemed to have it all figured out. The chemistry between Barbara and Adam was very witty. The movie wouldn't be complete without the vulgar hilarity of the character we love to hate, Beetlejuice.
Everything about this movie is phenomenal. The cast is perfect, as are the imaginative costumes. This futuristic sci-fi hits all the right spots—action, comedy, and let’s not forget the romance! Visual stimulation is not lost on this film. Another mood booster of a movie to get my mental adrenaline pumping.
This whimsical tale never fails to gently cradle my heart. The heartwarming and quirky characters on top of the beautiful soundtrack always put me in a good place.
The artistry of this gorgeous masterpiece is pure magic and cinematic poetry. This film never ceases to take me on a spiritual journey that leaves my heart a little more open each time.
The rawness of innocence and evil in this dark fairy tale beckons emotions within me that are both terrifying and enlightening, with each of its characters exploring a facet of humanity.