Michael Gitlin

Quick facts

  • Also known as: מיכאל גיטלין
  • Museums on this site: Israel Museum
  • Top 3 works: A Simple Line
  • Art period: Modern
  • Born: 1943, Cape Town, South Africa

The Form and Space of Michael Gitlin

Michael Gitlin is a contemporary sculptor, painter, printmaker, and university teacher. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, his family emigrated to Israel in 1948. His academic background includes studying English Literature and Art History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, alongside studies at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. Gitlin later moved to New York City, where he earned an MFA from the Pratt Institute.

His artistic practice is characterized as abstract and reductive. Gitlin began his career working in three dimensions, utilizing paper as a medium rather than a support, and later transitioned to working with wood. Many of his sculptures are wall pieces that rely on architecture for physical and contextual support. In recent years, his material palette has expanded to include steel wool, copper wire, foam, and black spandex, while drawing remains a demanding component of his project.

Exhibitions and Academic Career

Gitlin's work has been exhibited in numerous international locations, including the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the ICC Antwerp, and the Guggenheim Museum in New York. His museum shows have spanned from the Kunsthalle Mannheim to the Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen. His sculptures are held in various prestigious collections, such as the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the British Museum in London.

Throughout his career, Gitlin has held teaching positions at several notable institutions, including:

Questions & Answers

In which historical period did Michael Gitlin work?

Michael Gitlin worked in the Modern period. The period situates the artist's activity in history.

How do I find all works by Michael Gitlin in a given medium?

The All Medium page groups Michael Gitlin's artworks by technique.

Can I explore Michael Gitlin's works by keyword?

Michael Gitlin's works can be explored by keyword on the artist's By Keywords page. Each keyword groups the related artworks.

Is there a 3D virtual tour of Michael Gitlin's works?

A virtual visit is possible: the 3D Museum page of Michael Gitlin presents the artist's works in a three-dimensional gallery.

Quick quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
In which city was Michael Gitlin born?
Question 2:
Which institution did Gitlin attend to receive his MFA?
Question 3:
Gitlin is considered part of which movement of artists working in Manhattan and Europe in the early 1970s?
Question 4:
Which museum held Gitlin's first museum show in 1977?
Question 5:
In addition to sculpture, which medium has always been a demanding part of Gitlin's project?