- Words and photography by Lia Crowe
I meet Michael at to photograph his unique personal style, which, amusingly, he describes as, 鈥淧ost-raver, mid-art-dealer and pre-retirement.鈥�
Originally from Cambridge, Ontario, Michael moved to Victoria in 2001 to study at UVic.
鈥淚 spent my first few years with more attention in the electronic music community than academics,鈥� Michael tells me. 鈥淚 failed or had to drop a bunch of classes, but one course that I really loved was History in Art. For me, it connected how society worked. You see the politics, economy, religion, class structure and so much more represented through art. So I majored in that and did a minor in Arts of Canada.鈥�
From there, after working a few art jobs, Michael found himself working at West End Gallery in Victoria.
鈥淭his is when I knew I wanted to work in the gallery business. It was a great feeling to connect people with art.鈥�
And what aspects of his work get him the most fired up?
鈥淭here are two. The art and the people. One needs the other.鈥�
Asked what quality has led to his success, Michael says, 鈥淪imply put: just keep going.鈥�
And the best life lesson learned?
鈥淒on鈥檛 wait until 4 pm to eat lunch. You will be a better person for it.鈥�
Clothes/Grooming
Favourite denim, brand and cut: Naked & Famous: straight leg from Still Life.
Current go-to clothing item: Underwear.
Currently coveting: Comme des Gar莽ons striped long-sleeve shirt.
Favourite pair of shoes: Fluevogs.
Best new purchase: Paul Betenly suit from .
Accessory you spend the most money on: Glasses.
Favourite work tool: Tape measure.
Sunglasses: Anne & Valentin and L.A.M.B.
Scent: Usually a mix of anxiety and coffee.
Necessary indulgence: Video games.
Favourite skincare product: Bar of soap.
Style Inspirations & Life
Style icon: Peggy Guggenheim.
Favourite artist: Yves Klein.
Piece of art: Janet Cardiff & George Miller鈥檚 鈥�,鈥� presented at the Art Gallery of Ontario in the Henry Moore Sculpture Centre.
Favourite musician: Trent Reznor.
Era of time that inspires your style: A mix of the last 60 years.
Film or TV show that inspires your style or that you just love the style of: Gattaca and the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Favourite local restaurant: .
Favourite cocktail or wine: Martini鈥攙odka with twist.
Album on current rotation: Stranger Than Fiction by Bad Religion.
Favourite city to visit: Madrid.
Favourite hotel: Banff Springs.
Favourite app: Globe and Mail.
Favourite place(s) in the whole world: A tie between Whistler and a secret place in the Gulf Islands.
Reading Material
What you read online for style: Vice.
Fave print magazine: .
Coffee table book/photography book: .
Last great read: Bunny by Mona Awad.
Book currently reading: State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny.
Favourite book of all time: Pretty much anything by Mordecai Richler, especially The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz and Barney鈥檚 Version.
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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