Michael King Jr.: In the Shadow of the Hand at CLUSTER Museum
Work by Michael King Jr. (MFA ’26) is featured in In the Shadow of the Hand, a new exhibition on view at CLUSTER Museum from July 10-August 8, 2026. In the Shadow of the Hand presents 5 artists whose methodical studio practices lie at the intersection of contemporary art and craft, revealing the threshold between concepts and the body moving in tandem. The exhibition explores artwork birthed through ideas contemplated again and again by the artists in their search.
Lynne Avadenka’s use of found Hebrew letterpress type in her series of prints, which pass through the press hundreds of times, intersect with Matt Shlian’s puzzle-like text pieces referencing sator squares. The number of touch points seemingly transform their work into sacred texts. Emmy Bright’s mindmaps and pared down diagrams converse with Michael King Jr.‘s large pen and ink figurative “diagrams”: Both convey an insatiable desire to decipher deeper truths. Amanda Thatch’s hand woven work hovers at the intersection of Allowances and Constraints, Freedoms and Limitations, Meaning and Nonsense.
In the Shadow of the Hand features several events, starting with an opening reception on Friday, July 10 and ending with a closing artist talk (Art & Culture Café) on Saturday, August 8 moderated by Stamps Professor Anne Mondro.
In the Shadow of the Hand
Exhibition Dates: July 10-August 8
CLUSTER Museum, 307 N. Main St Ann Arbor MI 48104
Events
- July 10 from 6 – 9pm: Opening Reception
- July 31 at 7:30pm: CLUSTER Film Series
- August 6 at 7pm: Drawing with Words Workshop
- August 7 at 7pm: CLUSTER Author Reading Series
- August 8 at 11am: Art & Culture Café
Co-founded by Thea Eck (MFA’08), Kim DeBord (BFA’98), and Chien-An Yuan, CLUSTER aims to create opportunities for exhibition, learning, and community, bringing those in the arts together in thoughtful and innovative ways.