Michael Aghahowa
Thinking Boy
Thinking Boy started out as a Door 2 Door communal project where we each began by making a mark on the surface before us. Then, like an assembly line, we passed our surface to the person beside us and made a mark. This continued until our original surface was back in front of us. When I got mine back, I began to see an opportunity to create a portrait that resembled a young man thinking. The whole process of letting outside forces dictate the outcome of our piece was to get us out of our comfort zone, and possibly discover something new. We had the option to start over or embrace these changes. I'd say that embracing the change was a great idea.
Thinking boy
14” x 18”
acrylic on wood panel
check out michael’s website here.
he’s also on instagram: @_aghahowa
click the thumbnails below for more close up images
Artist Statement:
I’m inspired by people and the things that bring us together whether it's food, faith, entertainment or tragedy. In my work, connection is often represented by an arch or a circle because a circle to me represents fluidity and togetherness. Capturing a candid feeling brings humility and understanding to the viewers in a world that could use more empathy. What I dream of is art that has a feeling of nostalgia, thus creating a soothing, calming influence on the mind.
Michael Aghahowa
attended six years at RAW before earning a full scholarship to Montserrat College of Art, where he received his BFA with a concentration in illustration, collage, and painting. He traveled to Italy in the summer of 2016, and interned in in RAW’s CORE portfolio development program in 2017. He has established himself as a working artist with a studio at the Lydia Pinkham building in Lynn.
Michael and team RAW at his college graduation in 2017.