Michael Kruzich is fascinated by eyes. His mosaic artwork is filled with close-ups of eyes, both male and female. There's an expressive intensity to these images, all of which are done in mosaic. These portraits are part of a specific project series in which he focused on San Francisco's drag community, but his work encompasses so much more.
"I create a wide range of images, not just eyes," Kruzich said in an interview with the Bay Area Reporter. "If you check out my website, you'll see the variety of work that I do. It includes everything from Ancient Roman and Byzantine reproductions to portraiture, nature scenes, and LGBTQ2+ scenes. I explore landscapes, abstracts, and a whole mix of other subjects. I love experimenting with different styles and themes, so my work spans across many different genres and influences."
The idea for doing the eye portraits came to him because he had witnessed the drag community always looking out for the community as a whole. He felt this was a project he simply had to do.
"I have more ideas than I could ever get to in one lifetime," he said. "But once in a lifetime an idea becomes a huge opus like this project. It's as if, if the idea moves me enough, it must be realized. It is my form of communication and making sense out of the world in my life."
Auction of eye-luring art
In February Kruzich will host an online auction of his work, titled "Heroes With Bling: Not on Our Watch." Proceeds will benefit Openhouse SF, Trans Thrive, the GLBT Historical Society, Lyric, and the Imperial Council of San Francisco.
The auction will include a live preview exhibit on February 7 at the Academy from 5pm-8pm. Admission is free, but RSVP is required. Online bidding begins at 10am on February 18 through February 24 at midnight. There will also be a Live Benefit Auction Event on February 20 from 6pm-9pm at the Academy which will be hosted by Mercedez Munro.
Kruzich's recent subjects in dozens of eyes mosaics include popular local drag artists and producers like Juanita MORE!, Sister Roma, D'Arcy Drollinger, Katya Smirnoff-Skyy and many others.
"I have an affinity for antiquity, mythology, and the heroic, often leaning toward figurative renderings," Kruzich said. "I also enjoy creating artwork that reflects and supports my local and the wider LGBTQ2+ community. Whether abstract or figurative, my art merges ancient techniques with contemporary themes. Using natural stones and Italian glass, I employ ancient techniques developed in Italy during the Byzantine period. These materials and methods impart my subjects a timeless strength, importance, and elevation."
Kruzich also addressed what inspired him to create an auction event.
"We all know how our rights are being threatened again," he said. "Rights we've struggled and fought for for decades and decades. It can be really disheartening as we all know. LGBT, but particularly the TQ2+ part of that are being targeted.
"I wanted to think of a way to do something to counter that vibe and also to give back in a positive, celebratory and fabulous way as we do. These drag artists are not only the entertainers who give us so much joy and inspire us, but they really look out for our community. And that's where the genesis of the eyes idea came from."
Kruzich added that the February 7 preview event falls on his birthday, so he'll be serving cake to the attendees.
"Even if I was wealthy and didn't have to work, I would still have to be creating," he said. "If a creative idea is strong enough, it is like a possession takes place in me with the idea until it is realized. It is when I am my happiest. It feels as elemental as breathing to me."
'Heroes With Bling: Not on Our Watch,' Live Preview Exhibit, Feb. 7, 5pm-8pm, The Academy, 2166 Market St. Free, RSVP: www.academy-sf.com
Online bidding begins February 18, 10am until February 24 at midnight, www.32auctions.com
Live Benefit Auction Event at The Academy, February 20, 6pm-9pm, hosted by Mercedez Munro. RSVP: www.academy-sf.com
www.mkmosaics.com
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