My Late Enchantments: A Retrospective Celebration of Michael Berube's Artistic Legacy

We bid a heartfelt farewell to the extraordinary artist Michael Berube who passed away in May 2024, with this retrospective exhibit.

Michael had a varied career as an academic, performing and visual artist. After earning a MFA in 2010, he began teaching in the Art Department at Hunter College in 2012. Michael was a cherished teacher known for his ability to connect with and mentor students from diverse backgrounds and interests. An early member of the Openings
Artist Collective, Michael held multiple roles: exhibiting artist, part of the collective’s governing body, and senior curator. His energetic presence and discerning eye have left an indelible stamp on the collective.

Michael's work is renowned for its baroque theatricality, camp aesthetics, poignant narrative, and bold color abstraction. Through a masterful use of paint, mixed media and glitter, his paintings are not just visual spectacles but also deep reflections on his experiences as an artist and AIDS survivor. In these artworks, you’ll encounter a dazzling interplay of exuberant forms and contemplative themes. Each work serves as both a celebration of life’s joys and a meditation on its
struggles. Michael's distinctive approach blends flamboyant imagery with profound personal narratives, inviting viewers to engage with the layers of meaning behind each brushstroke.

Curated by Katerina Lanfranco and Anthony Santella