Tiffin University’s Diane Kidd Gallery to Host “Summation: Old & New Orders of Abstraction” by Local Artist Michael D. Burkart

The Diane Kidd Gallery at Tiffin University is pleased to present "Summation: Old & New Orders of Abstraction," an exhibition of paintings and drawings by Tiffin artist Michael D. Burkart. The exhibition will be on display through May 3, with an artist's reception Friday, March 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. The artist will give a talk at 5:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.

Michael D. Burkart, born in 1953, holds a BA from Thomas More College and an MFA from the University of Cincinnati. Over the last five decades, Burkart has developed numerous studio spaces in Kentucky and Ohio, with his most recent endeavor being the transformation of 34 Oil Street in Tiffin into his artist studio, "Atelier 34." In addition to his artistic pursuits, Burkart has founded multiple companies specializing in the restoration of historic greenhouses, conservatories, schoolhouses, homes and churches.

"Summation: Old & New Orders of Abstraction" showcases a selection of Burkart's work that documents the evolution of his artistic approach over the past forty years. His early abstract expressionist pieces, such as "Black Swatch No.1" (1986) and "Untitled," capture moments of intense gestural action, freezing dynamic movement in time. A significant shift in his work is evident in "Fish to Fish No.1" (2010), where he introduces a compositional technique of rotating the canvas in four directions while painting. This method, which Burkart describes as achieving "compositional equilibrium," ensures that any subdivision of the surface maintains unity and balance, allowing each piece to be displayed from multiple orientations.

A highlight of the exhibition is the interactive element: many of the works will be rotated throughout the show, offering viewers a fresh perspective with each visit. The most recent series of drawings, influenced by the Neurographic art style, begin as automatic line clusters and evolve into figurative compositions through his signature turning process.

For more information, visit the Diane Kidd Gallery's website at tiffin.edu/arts/diane-kidd-gallery or email Joseph Van Kerkhove at vankerkhovejm@tiffin.edu.