In Memory

Michael Kagan, born in 1980 in Virginia Beach, is an internationally acclaimed American artist known for his bold and striking oil paintings. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Kagan’s work explores humanity’s greatest adventures—from mountaineering to space exploration—through expressive, dynamic brushstrokes.

A graduate of George Washington University and holder of a Master of Fine Arts from the New York Academy of Art, Kagan has built a remarkable career. His paintings pay tribute to human resilience, capturing the tension between technological progress and human vulnerability, often depicting astronauts, adventurers, and pioneers.

Michael Kagan has exhibited globally in prestigious galleries, including Almine Rech (London, 2022), Bill Brady Gallery (Miami), and the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. His works are part of major private collections such as the Hall Art Foundation (Vermont) and the Maki Collection (Tokyo).

A versatile artist, he has collaborated with Pharrell Williams for Billionaire Boys Club, completed commissions for the Smithsonian, and designed the award-winning album cover for White Lies’ Big TV which won the Art Vinyl prize.

In 2019, he published I Was There When It Happened, a book dedicated to his NASA-themed astronaut and rocket series. Through each of his canvases, Michael Kagan explores the delicate balance between greatness and fragility, making visible the invisible drive that pushes humanity to conquer the unknown.