Michael Grothusen

back to directory

Associate Professor, Fine Arts

MFA, Tyler School of Art
BFA, University of Kansas

Contact Info

Fine Arts

Furness Hall 1K

Michael Grothusen’s goal in the classroom is to teach skill, combine it with research, and unearth talent that students didn’t know they had.

Michael Grothusen has been an associate professor in Fine Arts/Sculpture since 1996. His primary focus as an educator is in sculpture, first-year studio courses and interdisciplinary fine arts courses. Before joining the UArts faculty, he taught at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Drexel University in Philadelphia, and at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania. 

Biography

Michael Grothusen’s sculptures are diverse in terms of scale, scope and content. He makes objects and site-specific installations and has completed permanent public sculpture commissions for the city of Philadelphia. Grothusen’s sculptures originate from an investigative process that is rooted in a tactile connection to material. Some works are deliberate conversation starters; others are intended to de-emphasize written and spoken language in an attempt to focus attention on the present tense (here and now) of being in the space with the work. 

He earned a BFA in Sculpture from the University of Kansas and an MFA in Sculpture from Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University. Additionally, he studied at Brighton Polytechnic in England and the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Madison, Maine. 

Experience

  • Michael Grothusen has exhibited in regional, national and international exhibitions. 
  • He has created site-specific installations for venues such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia International Airport and The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. 
  • Grothusen’s work was recently included in the 8th Beijing International Art Biennale at the National Museum of China. 

Explore Michael Grothusen’s website 

Grothusen’s InLiquid profile


Work

Vimeo profile

Explanation of Mysterious Forces Grothusen from Michael Grothusen on Vimeo.

 

Analemma Sculpture from Michael Grothusen on Vimeo.

Awards & Accolades

Grothusen has received

  • a Pew Fellowship in the Arts, 
  • a Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant and 
  • three individual artist’s fellowships from Pennsylvania State Council on the Arts. 
  • He has been commissioned to build permanent public sculptures for the city of Philadelphia. 

Contact
mgrothusen@uarts.edu

 

Double USA Slump by Michael Grothusen
"Double USA Slump"

 

The Assist, a permanent public work commissioned by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia and Chaes Food. The funnel will provide extra water to the tree assisting its growth over time. Stainless Steel and Locust Tree. 18’ x 24’ x 10’ 2011.
"The Assist", a permanent public work commissioned by the Redevelopment
Authority of the City of Philadelphia and Chaes Food.

 

Crate for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, aluminum, foam, 34’h by 40”diameter-installed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art 1998.
"Crate" for the Philadelphia Museum of Art