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👑Miguel Gamez-Macias👑

@kingzcavern

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Conservation Artist & Curator
A.A | B.A | M.F.A Cand | CertMarBio
"What does it mean, to love something incapable of loving us back?"

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"Nowhere left to hide."
Recycled clay ceramic, dyed fabric, netting
2025

This artwork is created in two sections. The first half is created from manually recycled clay and features 9 ceramic pieces, one which consists of over five thousand individually rolled clay spheres pressed onto the surface of the form for texture. The second half of the sculpture is created from a complex armature and 152 individually cut and sewn pieces of fabric, where 144 of those pieces are altered and dyed.

The octopus is one of the most iconic marine creatures and is scientifically one of the most intelligent and 'alien' lifeforms we have ever encountered. Due to this, octopus has taken a reoccurring role in art. Every semester, since I've been in the process of my undergrad degree, I have seen at least one new artwork incorporating the octopus. I wanted to push the concept of the typical octopus by creating a life-sized specimen using very tedious and repetitive tasks to reflect the complexity of these creatures. To reflect the dynamic and gelatinous capabilities, I created the tentacles with the intention to adapt to its environment within the gallery space, as it does in its natural environment via camoflauge and shapeshifting. Each arm of this sculpture is individually posable, and the mantle is capable of changing angle to allow specific installation. It can be displayed on the floor, a pedestal, the ceiling, and even on a vertical surface if necessary.
A current conflict of the modern world is still persistent in coral bleaching and destruction of marine habitats. With the loss of life, comes the loss of color. When octopus face threat in a bleached reef, they adapt to the specifics of that space, replicating pale tones, deceased coral, and bare sandbeds. I chose to do a glaze wash on the ceramic portions and a gradual wash of white dye to reflect this on the tentacles. Finally, I casted a net overhead to further commentate on our destructive habits and how it can effect even the most independent and intelligent of lifeforms.

#ceramic #artist #sculpture #art #octopus by @kingzcavern

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5

2 years ago

"Broken promises you've given me"
2024
98 piece Ceramic Sculpture, fabricated cushion, fabricated pedestals, fishing twine.

This piece took two semesters to complete. The first to construct the eel. The second to fabricate the base and make adjustments to the eel.

Every body segment of the eel is glazed after a different coral species found within marine ecosystems. Every fin is glazed after kelp from kelp forests. These two environments are ideal for eels to thrive. They are the two environments you can find them inhibiting.
Each segment has two fins sewn through it. Each segment is also connected to two neighboring segments. The head is composed of two separate pieces. The entire eel is movable and posable. The material used to thread the eel is fishing twine. This piece has to be uninstalled and reinstalled on site every time I display it. Enveloping the eel is a fishing net partially draped across its body like a blanket—an uncomforting juxtaposition to the comfort of the cushion. Instead, this net conveys a sense of devastation, a reminder of the damage inflicted by modern human practice. As we continue to damage marine ecosystems, such as through trawling, we threaten creatures that have flourished for millions of years. We destroy their homes, hence destroying them.
This peice is a commentary on how we make promises to each other, ourselves, towards our habits, wants, needs and behavior, yet we find ourselves in a static situation. These creatures' lives depend on the promises that we choose to create. Yet these creatures and habitats are still endangered. Those are promises that have yet to be held true. They are promises we fail to keep. They are broken promises, if not empty ones to begin with.

After the student show on Friday, December 6th, I stayed in the gallery after closing to remove the net and cast it much higher onto the body of the eel.
There is no escape for him.

The final day to view this piece is Monday, December 9th.

This piece is my pride. It is my heart, and it is my soul.

#marinescience #art #sculpture #studioart #ceramic #fabric #gallery #contemporaryart #ocean #eel #coral taken in Phebe Conley Gallery by @kingzcavern

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2 years ago

"How Would It Feel, To Be In Your Arms?"
Fabric, buttons, netting
2025

In 1608, the Muscovy Company sent the 60-ton 'God Speed' to Spitzenburg to hunt for ivory and oil. The 'Right Whale', prized for its oil-rich blubber and whale bone, was sought after, and docks such as the formerly 'Howland Great Dock', 1696-1699, London's second wet dock, were partially transformed with the pure intention of constructing blubber boiling houses and whale butcheries. In 1755, London's second whaling trade developed. Ships fished the South Atlantic and Pacific for whales and seals. In 1821, the London South Sea whaling fleet numbered 149. At this time, London was the largest whaling port in the world. This work exists to remind the audience of the historical importance of the whale, commenting on how we still view these creatures as material value. Depicted as a cushion, with tropes of royalty, taking form in purple, gold, and white, I emphasize the decorative aspect in place during imperial time periods. Draping onto the floor, this creature is taken out of its environment and contained in a new, limited space surrounded by human presence. Here, it sits lifelessly. In the form of a calf, I reference preservation, while using an accurate scale to accentuate importance. With births occurring on average every 7-10 years, the calf is a symbol of hope.

This is one of the hardest sculptures I've created thus far.

#art #conservation #whale #whalecalf #art #artist #lundfoundation #sculpture #contemporaryart #largesculpture #softsculpture #london taken in M Street Arts Complex by @kingzcavern

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a year ago

"Sole"
2026
Ceramic Sculpture

This was my first attempt, probably ever, at a high fire reduction sculpture. Upon opening the kiln, it was revealed that cone 12 had melted to the base, equating to a 2,400° firing. I am shocked to see this work in one piece. This sculpture was created in a rather short period, being around 3 days time to sculpt and alter. The remainder of the week was dedicated to drying, and then the weekend for firing. It was my first time observing a full reduction firing, and it was completed in less than 7 hours. This was a great exercise back into creating work within a high paced studio environment, and a fun intro to a new firing experience. Though the work shares similarities to my practice, I'm unsure whether this work belongs as part of my main body, or if it is rather a project of technical study.

Also, I discovered the mouths of the eel-like creatures make great ring holders. I am now hoping to create some rings in the jewelry lab to permanently go with these creatures.

More to come.

#art #artist #ceramic #contemporary #ceramicsculpture by @kingzcavern

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6 days ago

This sculpture is such a commitment to install and deinstall. The labor required in every setup only adds to the content of the work, connecting myself, the artist, and the work. It builds a sense of intimacy in every recreation of it, and showcases a time commitment in the deinstallation process. Every time it is showcased, it is different, never the same.

"I hope you find what you're looking for"
2025
Reclaimed clay ceramic sculpture

#art #ceramic #conservation #artist #contemporary by @kingzcavern

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11 days ago

"I hope you find what you're looking for."
2025
Ceramic sculpture installation, soil

Thanks to @sjsugradcritique and @sjsuartgalleries for the opportunity to showcase this sculpture. This is my first exhibition in San Jose, since my move as a first year M.F.A candidate. These little mudskippers loved seeing a new gallery. More conservation art to come from me!

#art #gallery #conservation #artist #sjsu by @kingzcavern

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13 days ago

Make sure to stop by Spectrum Photography Gallery this month for their "Animals" photography exhibition!

I have these two works on display. Thanks for those who stopped in during the reception and sent me pictures next to my photos!

"Family Photo"
2026
Manipulated Digital Photography
(Above)

"Special Containment: Three Finches and a pair of Sparrow"
2026
Manipulated Digital Photography
(Below)

#art #artist #photography #altprocessphotography #contemporaryartist taken in Spectrum Art Gallery by @kingzcavern

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16 days ago

My sculpture installation "I hope you find what you're looking for", will be on display between September 14th-17th, with a reception on Tuesday September 15th at 6PM, in the Jo Farb Gallery at San Jose State University.

New and improved changes to this piece. Come see it in person alongside the rest of the SJSU MFA cohort! I'll be posting an updated statement of this work and images when this exhibition ends.

Thanks for reading!

#art #ceramic #sculpture #MFA #artist taken in SJSU Department of Art and Art History by @kingzcavern

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17 days ago

Zebra sharks are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list, with primary causes being human interaction: The hunting for meat, finning, bycatch, trawling, and coastal destruction of their natural habitats. They are slow and peaceful. They pose no threat to a human. They mature slowly, and lay 1-4 eggs, dubbed 'mermaid purses' at a time. Fortunately, there is an global movement to protect these species and aid in their population recovery through breeding conservation programs.

These ceramic representations of the 'lucky mermaid purse' utilizes a speckled clay and opalescent glaze. When fired together, the glaze reacts with the clay body to create striking pools of opalescent color, dots, stripes and crystallization.

The purpose of this project is to create ceramic shark eggs, that when grouped together they weigh the equivalent of two zebra sharks. The weight of these eggs rely on that of their parents. These pouches are symbols of life, and symbols of hope for an endangered population.

These pieces will be individually available for purchase. If you're interested, send me a DM.

#art #ceramic #zebrashark #conservationart #artist by @kingzcavern

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2 months ago

"Special Containment: Three Finches and a pair of Sparrow."
Digital photography
2026

Im my work, I often come across a wide variety of specimen, both aquatic and not aquatic. For most, they remain hidden, behind closed doors and left in storage. They are unseen for decades, and untouched by time. Part of my job is to catalog them.
To me, they are special. To science, they are contained. To most, they don't exist. They almost exist in a state of oblivion. Through photography, I choose to give these creatures new life, and new color. By cataloging their physical presence, I ensure they are unforgettable, while commentating on the idea of memory, individualism, and oblivion. The reality of oblivion is that time will exist far after we are gone. Most of our history is forgotten by the time of our great grandchildren.

Most information about these specimen will remain unanswered for eternity.

Did they have names? Where did they come from? When did they live? Are they worth remembering? In my opinion, most everyone has a story worth remembering.

"Special Containment" will explore these ideas through photodocumentation.

#photography #contemporaryart #specimen #artist #art by @kingzcavern

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3 months ago

Flip your phone upside down

Multiple exposure photos on zinc paper, taken 2025 by @cactusswinger inside our dorm in London, and edited by me. Thank you friend for the photos. I found them today in my gallery and decided to play around with them.

For now I will call them "Blueberry portraits".

#art #Photography #altprocessphotography #portrait #contemporaryart taken in London, England by @kingzcavern

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3 months ago

"The market price"
"Whale watching"
"The decline"
Polaroid Lifts 2026

Just some polaroid lifts from recent. Experimenting with a cross of digital and analog photography, using the polaroid to capture digital media in multiple exposure.

#art #polaroid #polaroidlift #altprocessphotography #ocean by @kingzcavern

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3 months ago