MA, MFA, Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Graduate Fellow, University of Wisconsin, Madison, with Harvey Littleton, Lewis Comfort Tiffany Grant, Penland School scholarship, North Carolina, with Fritz Dreisbach, Pilchuck Glass School,  with Jim Dine, University of Utah, with Marvin Lipofsky, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, with Robert Orr and numerous artists, Fulbright Hayes Grant, Kosta-Boda Glasbruke , Johansfors Glasbruke, The American – Scandinavian Foundation Grant with, Anna Warff, University of Lisbon, Portugal, with scientist Antonio Pires de Matos

Artist and educator Michael Taylor’s works have morphed from one series throughout his career for over 50 years; beginning with stoneware’s sculptural forms, to blown glass, to blown and optical glass constructions, and finally to optical glass and multiple materials.

Conceptual issues have been observations of social-political introspective and the spiritual deserts of the Northwest. While at the College of Idaho and teaching the history of modern art, Taylor’s directive led to political and visual expressions of the Russian revolution and artists of constructivism. The hard lines and acute angles of constructivism of the 1920’s continued to scientific theory and theoretical physics. Using glass with scientific exactness and austerity resulted in further architectural form and shapes of accuracy. Readings of future science and cultural futurism led to issues of DNA and binary systems as they related to laminations in his work. His current focus centers on Artificial Intelligence, and its impact on the future.

Art reflects thought and ideals of the period in which it is made. It can relate to predictions for the future. My work speaks of the importance of science and technology and it’s eventual dominance through artificial Intelligence.