Aaron Michel Poirier

Aaron Michel Poirier (29) is a midwest American painter who exhibits primarily in Cleveland, OH and Chicago, IL. His work began to develop a cacophonic expressionist style when he moved to out of rural Ohio to Chicago, IL to attend The School of the Art Institute of Chicago:

"Experimentation itself is the cornerstone of my work, but although I introduce different materials and subjects, my process is consistent. At the canvas, I maintain a performance of vulnerability, existential philosophy, and political irreverence in what I can only akin to active meditation. This process is meant to achieve a place of spiritual nudity in the work, to rely on improvisation, stream of consciousness, muscle memory, and freedom. It contrasts images of my rural Ohio upbringing with contemporary ideas in millennial internet culture and urban media."

He has sighted influences of contemporary expressionists such as Eddie Martinez, Jonathan Meese, Jonni Cheatwood, Miranda July, and Austyn Weiner in exploring the tension between meaning and mark-making.

MFA, Painting, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
MA, Sociology, Loyola University Chicago
BA, Sociology, Kent State 2010

Solo Exhibitions

“It’s Torn.” A. M. Poirier and Merve Iseri, December 2014, Haunted House Gallery, Chicago, IL

"Paintings and Studies" November 2014, Dollop Coffee co., Chicago, IL

"S.O.A.P." May 2013, The BOX Gallery, Akron, OH

"Clouds and Hands" September 2011, Muggswigs Coffee & Tea Co., Canton, OH

Group Shows

"The East Room Group Show" October 2015, East Room, Chicago, IL

"The Black and White Show" January 2015, Club Rectum, Chicago, IL

"The Haunted Opening ft. A. M. King, Mandy Halford, and Valentin Miro-Quesada" June 2014
Haunted House Gallery, Chicago, IL

"Green Line Exhibition" December 2013, Fulton Street Collective, Chicago, IL

"Come Out and Play First Friday" July 2011, Red Ribbon Connection, Canton, OH