Michael McCleve, Earth Mother Muzzled

Michael McCleve, Muskogee/Creek, was born in Medford, Oregon in 1946, but has lived and worked in Arizona since 1951. He became interested in art and art history at an early age, and has pursued those interests throughout his life. In 1964, he completed high school in Scottsdale, and became apprenticed to John Waddell. He made his first metal sculptures during this period. From 1964-1967, McCleve attended Glendale Community College, where he worked prolifically at painting and drawing and intensified his study of art history. Since 1967, he has worked primarily in iron, steel, and bronze. In 1970, he began a three and a half year association with Paolo Soleri in Paradise Valley, Arizona, but left to pursue a career in sculpture. In 1974, McCleve won a gold medal at Sculpture II, at the Heard Museum. Since that time, has has participated in various group and invitational shows.
(source: CN Gorman exhibition press release, Feb 23, 1977)