In the Klausmeier Room:
Mike Walrath, A Memorial Exhibit
MIKE WALRATH 1956 ~ 2018
Mike Walrath, A Memorial Exhibit
MIKE WALRATH 1956 ~ 2018
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Mike Walrath was a Thai Boxing trainer who founded Big Foot Gym, a Muay Thai school in Eugene.
Both his martial arts and his visual arts took root in East L.A. where he was born and raised. Muay Thai crystallized his career, and after a number of trips to Thailand and first-hand experiences of adversity, action, national conflicts of the 60’s, and overcoming a personal battle in the aftermath of a spinal tumor, he has established a successful school where hundreds of young people have found direction, safety, joy, and a means to self-improvement. Big Foot Gym has become quite an extended family.
Likewise, Mike’s painting is reaching for a large scope with an overarching social commentary. He diffused the pain of struggle with his good humor, an immensely gentle heart, and his will and love for life, as can be seen in his raucous political clown series, as well as his more candid pen & ink studies of humanity, or the larger black & white portraits of fighters and fight scenes: all speak of the pure joy of being alive.
Both his martial arts and his visual arts took root in East L.A. where he was born and raised. Muay Thai crystallized his career, and after a number of trips to Thailand and first-hand experiences of adversity, action, national conflicts of the 60’s, and overcoming a personal battle in the aftermath of a spinal tumor, he has established a successful school where hundreds of young people have found direction, safety, joy, and a means to self-improvement. Big Foot Gym has become quite an extended family.
Likewise, Mike’s painting is reaching for a large scope with an overarching social commentary. He diffused the pain of struggle with his good humor, an immensely gentle heart, and his will and love for life, as can be seen in his raucous political clown series, as well as his more candid pen & ink studies of humanity, or the larger black & white portraits of fighters and fight scenes: all speak of the pure joy of being alive.