An exhibition of original works by Michael Henley is a continuation of his ongoing investigation and creation of work centered around the natural world, the figure and a deep dive into the obscure and Macarbe. Combining these elements with a strict monochrome pallet and limited materials (graphite, ink, light) Henley works to blend the human form (or select parts of it) with the beauty of the natural and animal world. He creates dark, highly detailed Macarbe figurative pieces which seem to echo larger worlds or perhaps dreamscapes. 

Routed in a large and varying amount of visual research Henley finds inspiration within the anatomical and animal worlds, he then creates visual links between these various elements. Recreating muscle and tissue with the malleable form of snakes and spiders, suspending towering totems of bone and animal that seem to float and hover in a doorway or, grounding birds trapping them within light and layers of delicate paper in a wall mounted, framed ossurary. Perhaps all suggesting a landscape only a step away. 

'While you Sleep' aims to anchor these artworks to a specific time and place, a feeling that while you sleep through the various stages of daily life the world carries on without you. The stage changes and the world along with it, these works, reflect on how we sleep on life and let it pass us. How stillness and movement can exist simultaneously and that perhaps, in some way the paths of events can be traced across our bodies long after were gone. And while we go about our days, working, cooking, sleeping the world slowly dies around us. 

Henley (b.1986) is a London based visual artist, originally trained as an illustrator he now seeks to relearn and explore the fine art world. He blends highly detailed drawing & ink painting with gothic, tattoo and alternative culture referencing a wide range of inspirational materials from the visual to music and, in some cases dreams to create his pieces. This is Henley's second exhibition with The Muse and along with this independent gallery he has also had the privilege to be exhibited across London (Jealous gallery, Saatchi London, The London Art Fair etc) along with exhibitions in the US (Brassworks Gallery, Mortal Machine Gallery, Portal, New York) & various curated online exhibitions and will soon be featured in the first annual Obscura Art Fair in Barcelona.