Skip to main content

Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

American, b. 1973

When Michael Kalish reimagines an abused license plate or a vintage fender of a sun-faded farm truck, he transforms these discarded materials into striking art. His works are masterful while endearingly mindful, with a wink to Pop art masters such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. He raises repurposing to a culturally and socially conscious new level.

Kalish was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1973. He later attended the University of Rhode Island and Kennesaw State University in Georgia, majoring in psychology and minoring in art. After finishing school, he realized that if he wanted a career in art, he would have to do something to stand out. He decided to select a unique medium that would grab the attention of curators and the public. 

He stumbled upon an old license plate in a junkyard, which sparked his interest. The color, texture and reflective shine drew him in, and he began to search for more. The first piece he created with the license plates was an American flag, which was exhibited by a small gallery. In 1996, he made a series of license plate portraits of several U.S. presidents, which were displayed in the windows of the Barney’s department store in New York City. 

Kalish relocated to Los Angeles, where he continues to work with salvaged metal objects, fashioning them into beautiful roses, bowls of fruit, pop icon portraits and abstract pieces. His Raise the Caliber monumental public work — made of reclaimed guns — garnered high praise for its statement against violence. In 2017, his Art of Finding Love series of interactive abstract sculptures toured various outdoor locations in California.

On 1stDibs, find Michael Kalish’s sculptures, paintings, mixed media and more.

to
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
41
509
315
282
230
1
Artist: Michael Kalish
Ava
Ava

Michael KalishAva, 2018

Price Upon Request

Ava

By Michael Kalish

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This dimensional wall sculpture is created with layered laser cut aluminum pieces painted with enamel then mounted on a hand-shaped aluminum back panel painted and sprayed with a mat...

Category

2010s Contemporary Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Related Items
"My Falling in Love Heart" Contemporary Multicolor & Gold Oil Painting on Canvas
"My Falling in Love Heart" Contemporary Multicolor & Gold Oil Painting on Canvas

"My Falling in Love Heart" Contemporary Multicolor & Gold Oil Painting on Canvas

By Cindy Shaoul

Located in New York, NY

Motivated by bold color and fast brushwork, we are moved by the simplicity and thick textured oil paints in these works. Shaoul’s “My Heart Collection” is a vibrant and energetic dis...

Category

2010s Contemporary Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil

"Recycling Post" (FRAMED) Abstract Painting 72 x 48 in by Yoram Katz
"Recycling Post" (FRAMED) Abstract Painting 72 x 48 in by Yoram Katz

"Recycling Post" (FRAMED) Abstract Painting 72 x 48 in by Yoram Katz

Located in Culver City, CA

"Recycling Post" (FRAMED) Abstract Painting 72 x 48 in by Yoram Katz Medium: Used items, Enamel and Spray paint on Canvas Size framed: 73.5 x 49.5 in ABOUT THE ARTIST: Born in Is...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

Materials

Enamel

"How to Explode Quietly" Surrealist Urban Street Art Mixed Media Painting
"How to Explode Quietly" Surrealist Urban Street Art Mixed Media Painting

"How to Explode Quietly" Surrealist Urban Street Art Mixed Media Painting

By Santiago Fuentes Bo

Located in New York, NY

Santiago Fuente Bo pieces are exceptionally high in detail, but as well are playful and thought provoking. He is influenced with the ever-changing idea of what home means. His consta...

Category

2010s Contemporary Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

Materials

Enamel

Evanescence- 21st Century, Contemporary, Abstract, Oil Painting, Gold Leaf
Evanescence- 21st Century, Contemporary, Abstract, Oil Painting, Gold Leaf

Evanescence- 21st Century, Contemporary, Abstract, Oil Painting, Gold Leaf

By Chelsea Davine

Located in Barcelona, Catalonia

Oil and gold leaf on canvas For centuries, artisans and artists have turned to gold leaf as a way to make their creations shimmer and shine. Also many contemporary artists continue ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

"Woman Under Layers of Paint" (FRAMED) Abstract Painting 72x48 in by Yoram Katz

"Woman Under Layers of Paint" (FRAMED) Abstract Painting 72x48 in by Yoram Katz

Located in Culver City, CA

"Woman Under Layers of Paint" (FRAMED) Abstract Painting 72x48 in by Yoram Katz Medium: Magazins' Pics, Acrylic & Enamel on Canvas Size framed: 73 x 49 in ABOUT THE ARTIST: B...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

Materials

Enamel

"Spicy Asian Food" (FRAMED) Abstract Painting 72 x 48 in by Yoram Katz
"Spicy Asian Food" (FRAMED) Abstract Painting 72 x 48 in by Yoram Katz

"Spicy Asian Food" (FRAMED) Abstract Painting 72 x 48 in by Yoram Katz

Located in Culver City, CA

"Spicy Asian Food" (FRAMED) Abstract Painting 72 x 48 in by Yoram Katz Medium: Used items, Enamel and Spray paint on Canvas Size framed: 73 x 49 in Recycling Series ABOUT THE ART...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

Materials

Enamel

"Happy Wife, Happy Life" by L A Spowart - Vibrant Pastel Tone Contemporary Art
"Happy Wife, Happy Life" by L A Spowart - Vibrant Pastel Tone Contemporary Art

"Happy Wife, Happy Life" by L A Spowart - Vibrant Pastel Tone Contemporary Art

Located in Carmel, CA

Lesley Anne Spowart (American, born 1957) "Happy Wife, Happy Life" 2025 Acrylic Paint, Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher Bars, Wire The artist signed the bottom right and the back of th...

Category

2010s Contemporary Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

Materials

Wire

"Hope & Tragedies" Surrealist Urban Street Art Mixed Media Painting on Wood
"Hope & Tragedies" Surrealist Urban Street Art Mixed Media Painting on Wood

"Hope & Tragedies" Surrealist Urban Street Art Mixed Media Painting on Wood

By Santiago Fuentes Bo

Located in New York, NY

Santiago Fuente Bo pieces are exceptionally high in detail, but as well are playful and thought provoking. He is influenced with the ever-changing idea of what home means. His consta...

Category

2010s Contemporary Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

Materials

Enamel

"Divinity"- Colorful Abstract/Figurative Mixed Media Painting
"Divinity"- Colorful Abstract/Figurative Mixed Media Painting

"Divinity"- Colorful Abstract/Figurative Mixed Media Painting

Located in Brooklyn, NY

John-Herbert was born in Miami and moved to New York city when he was 3 years old. As the son of a Filipno mother and bi-racial father, his multi-cultural roots at first felt like a ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

Materials

Enamel

THE WAY 2 - Mixed Media Painting On Jute Canvas,  Abstract Artwork, Large Format
THE WAY 2 - Mixed Media Painting On Jute Canvas,  Abstract Artwork, Large Format

THE WAY 2 - Mixed Media Painting On Jute Canvas, Abstract Artwork, Large Format

By Marta Pokojowczyk

Located in Salzburg, AT

„The Way 2”, mixed media (soil, pearl glue, oil, powder pigment, rosin) on jute, 140 x 150, 2012 Series “The Way” by Marta Pokojowczyk contains mixed media paintings on jute created...

Category

2010s Contemporary Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

Materials

Jute, Glue, Mixed Media, Oil, Pigment

Cosmos IV by Lumi Mizutani - Japanese style painting, flower, silver leaves
Cosmos IV by Lumi Mizutani - Japanese style painting, flower, silver leaves

Cosmos IV by Lumi Mizutani - Japanese style painting, flower, silver leaves

By Lumi Mizutani

Located in Paris, FR

Cosmos IV is a unique painting by contemporary artist Lumi Mizutani. The painting is made with pigments and silver leaves on Japanese cardboard, dimensions are 27.3 × 24.2 cm (10.7 ×...

Category

2010s Contemporary Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

Materials

Silver

Previously Available Items
Ava
Ava

Michael KalishAva, 2018

Sold

H 55 in W 30 in D 7 in

Ava

By Michael Kalish

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This dimensional wall sculpture is created with layered laser cut aluminum pieces painted with enamel then mounted on a hand-shaped aluminum back panel painted and sprayed with a mat...

Category

2010s Contemporary Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Ode to Lichtenstein - Liberty

Ode to Lichtenstein - Liberty

By Michael Kalish

Located in Los Angeles, CA

"Ode to Lichtenstein - Liberty", mixed media metal wall sculpture — 55 x 36 x 1.5 inches — 2008. Lichtenstein meets Michael Kalish. This is a mixed media metal wall sculpture made...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Michael Kalish Figurative Paintings

Materials

Enamel, Metal, Steel

Michael Kalish figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Michael Kalish figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Michael Kalish in enamel, metal, mixed media and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Michael Kalish figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 30 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Gee Gee Collins, Frank Shifreen, and Otis Huband. Michael Kalish figurative paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $18,000 and tops out at $18,000, while the average work can sell for $18,000.