Michael Shields is a Los Angeles based photographer whose work examines the geography and infrastructure of Los Angeles. He was born in Southern California, however he spent the majority of his youth living in New Zealand. He studied photographic arts at California State University Long Beach (BFA) and continued his education at California State University Los Angeles (MFA). He has guest lectured at Cal State Long Beach and the KwaZulu Natal Museum in Durban, South Africa. His work is in private collections both locally and worldwide and has shown in many group exhibition in the greater Los Angeles area. The Anatomy of Los Angeles show and book release was held at Martha Otero gallery and presented by UNION Los Angeles. He Published the book “The Anatomy of L.A.” in 2013 in conjunction with UNION Los Angeles and is working on his next book of photography about Los Angeles exploring further, peoples relationship to this geography. His work was included in the  book, Both Sides of Sunset: Photographing Los Angeles, published by Metropolis books.







Exhibition/Publication History:




2002 Dec, Proper Gallery, Long Beach California. Group show, Featured Photographer




2003 March, Proper Gallery, Long Beach California, Solo Show, Photographs, “Cali Alley  Series”




2003 September, First Street Arts Complex, Downtown Los Angeles, Group show, “Art on tape.” Featured Photographic artist.




2004 March, Firecracker Event Space, Chinatown Los Angeles, Group show, “Art on tape #2.” Featured Photographic artist.




2005 May, The Dome Room, Long Beach California, Cal Photo Guild, group show, Photo collection.




2006 May, Max Gatov Gallery, Long Beach California, BFA Photo show, Group show. Photography/Mixed media.




2006 June-August, A+D Museum, Los Angeles California, “New Blood.” Contributing Photographer. (Exhibition photographs were then featured in the Los Angeles Times). Aplusd.org.




2007 February, Icon Magazine (Switzerland/France) Artist profile and 3 double page spread published (Icon #10) Outtakes from “The Anatomy of advertising series” and special project for the “Silence” Theme of issue.




2008 January 2G Dossier Magazine for architecture (Spain/International) issue #45,Contribution of Photography . Issue focusing on emerging arts and architecture. 




2008 June, Luckman Gallery, featured artist “15 seconds of fame,” Gallery and online Exhibit. Online url  HYPERLINK "http://robertmartin-edu/info/cal_state_LA/Luckman_gallery.html" http://robertmartin-edu/info/cal_state_LA/Luckman_gallery.html

featured photographs using cellphone cameras.







2009 June, Luckman Gallery, “Short Order: Accretions, Arrays, Anomalies,” Group Show




2013 “The Anatomy of L.A.” Solo show and book release. UNION Los Angeles and Converse Presented at Martha Otero Gallery Los Angeles.




2014 Speaking Engagement KZNSA Gallery, Durban South Africa, Shared my work and work practices with the students of DCP (The Durban Center for Photography), a school housed in The KwaZulu Natal museum of Durban.




2015 Speaking Engagement, Cal State University Long Beach, Was invited by Todd Gray to address his students about my work and work practices and thing that have changed since being a student at CSULB.




2015 Speaking Engagement, MOCA Los Angeles, Panel Discussion moderated by David Ulin In conjunction with Metropolis books “Both Sides of Sunset.” Spoke on the panel with Zoe Crosher, Michael Light, Bettina Hubby and Ed Templeton regarding our work and its relationship to Los Angeles.




2015,  A Tiny Space, A curated Exhibition by Sabrina Bajaj in conjunction with her online Gallery www.atinyspace.com. Presented at the Brewery Arts Complex.




2017, MoLaa, Museum of Latin American art, Long Beach CA. Showed large scale works from “the Anatomy of LA” project in conjunction with Frank Romero’s exhibition entitled “Dreamland”




2017, Cult Icon, Curated By Zac Larry, Group Show, RVCC Gallery Downtown Los Angeles




2018, Fun on the floor, Group Show, 428 Hewitt St, Arts District, Los Angeles.




2019, Showcase at The Riveter, Group show,  The Riveter (The Riveter: Marina del Rey)




2019, Book release, “Otherwise” a collection of work from Michael Shields, Mark Dadlani and Ben Kennedy




2020, Select works from the Anatomy of LA project acquired for the collection of Governor Gavin Newsome, Currently installed in the Governors LA office in Downtown Los Angeles.