When painting, Michelle McIver takes ‘place’ as her starting point – working primarily from her own travel photographs which depict light and atmosphere. She then manipulates composition, form and colour to arrive at a more minimalist and pared-back aesthetic.
Minimalism, with its focus on essential forms and materials, influences Michelle’s artistic approach both visually and conceptually. By stripping away the superfluous, she amplifies the significance of what remains. Her work often explores the balance between precision and fluidity, a quiet interplay of boundaries, and serene expanses of negative space. Within her compositions, geometric structures provide stability, while the interaction of translucent layers and opaque areas evokes depth and the subtle passage of light. This dialogue between structure and spontaneity imbues her paintings with a dynamic energy.
Michelle’s artistic vision is also shaped by her years living in rural Japan, where she was immersed in traditional culture and inspired by shibumi—a Japanese aesthetic centred on subtlety and simplicity. Shibui objects, characterised by their natural palettes and restrained forms, achieve a delicate balance between simplicity and complexity. In her work, Michelle extends this philosophy to foster moments of quietude, offering viewers a space to pause and reflect amidst the noise of modern life. She invites her audience to experience a sense of openness, allowing the interplay of light, colour, and form to evoke personal connection and contemplation.
