MICHAEL MEJIA

Michael Mejia (Meh-HEE-uh) is a Colombian-American artist with a versatile mixed-media skillset and a unique conceptual vision, best known for his transformative body paintings and intimate wildlife portraits. Michael’s distinct style of art is the transcending counterpoint of realism, symbolism and abstract art, creating a harmonious balance within these traditional styles while conjuring thought-provoking social statements.

Born in New York City and raised by a single mother in a matriarchal home, between one of the most eclectic cities on earth and Colombia, the second most biodiverse country in the world, Michael gained a broad world view that honors women, Mother Nature and people of all cultures. While studying Fine Arts and Graphic Design at the School of Visual Arts in NYC (2009 - 2013), Michael fell in love with the ephemerality of body art. He soon made a name for himself as a television celebrity on GSNTV´s body painting competition show "Skin Wars", hosted by Ru Paul Charles and Rebecca Romjin, and a mentor on GSNTV's “Fresh Paint” broadcast on Netflix, E! Entertainment Television and other global networks. As a sought-after body painter, Michael is a fixture at international festivals, hired for music videos, advertising campaigns, events by top corporations and commissioned by high-profile celebrity clients such as Jason Derulo, Timbaland, Christy Turlington, Wendy Williams, Claudia Schiffer, Stacey Bennet and many more.

Internationally recognized and wielding a strong media presence, Michael uses his platform and the power of his creativity as a voice to amplify silenced social and environmental issues, advocating for nature conservation, gender equality, racial justice and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as encouraging body positivity and sexual empowerment. His story and art work have been featured in numerous print an online magazines, including The Advocate, Out Magazine, Time Out NY, the covers of HIV Plus and Gay Travelers Guide and many other publications, inspiring people of all ages to embrace their true authentic character and talents, to pursue their dreams fearlessly, leaving behind all personal setbacks and socially constructed anxieties.

The freedom to challenge the system and exceed limitations to achieve his ideas is a vital part of Michael's creative process, driving him to continuously explore various artistic forms like sculpture, fashion and costume design, mural painting and performative arts. Currently, Michael is working on a series of large-scale acrylic paintings utilizing iridescent pigments and gilding, conceived with a double-aim of offering an elegant and magical tribute to wild felines on the brink of extinction while also making a feminist statement about rising against the adversities of the patriarchal system, for his upcoming series, provocatively titled “Wild and Endangered Pussy”.

In January of 2022 Michael was Selected as the only resident artist onboard a luxury cruise ship, where he discovered a passion for teaching. Students of all ages with diverse backgrounds and different levels of artistic abilities attended his classes and walked out of the classroom with a completed art work they never imagined was possible to create. Part of Michaels responsibilities onboard the vessel was to capture the essence of peoples personalities through the art of portraiture using different mediums as well as live painting performances in production shows along side other singers, dancers, acrobats, contortionist and a variety of skilled entertainers. Michael hopes to continue inspiring the world with his art and sharing his talent wherever he goes.