Michael Fikaris (b. 1973 Melbourne VIC) is a visual artist of Ukrainian-Greek ancestry based in Naarm/Melbs, Australia.
Beginning with a self taught practice of comics, zines and public art, Fikaris has developed a career that involves a client base of freelance commissions and partnerships. Their work explores themes of identity and growth with a strong belief that art is a powerful catalyst for personal empowerment and social change.
Fikaris is also a publisher and community arts practitioner. He founded Silent Army Projects in 2011, a platform focused on collaborative, creative engagement. Whether hired to paint a mural or design a print based project, every opportunity is seen as a chance to foster connections with people and place.
Fikaris edits and curate collections of comic art, including the international publication Down Down Under which was nominated for an Eisner award in 2020. Their dedication to community arts was recognised with the Platinum Ledger Award in 2017 for outstanding service to Australian comics.
His work has shown around the world as well as with festivals in UK, France, Timor Leste and Australia. Michael has participated on international placements in Belgium, Portugal, Greece, Catalonia and Indonesia, with cross-cultural experiences inspiring a commitment to his understanding of the role of art as not just a luxury, but also an essential process for making sense of the world we all share.
Fikaris' work is held in several major public collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria (Living Artists Collection), the State Library of Victoria (Artists’ Books Collection), and the National Gallery of Australia (Book Arts Collection).
“Michael Fikaris is a great worker in comic books, a remarkable innovator and scene setter… he’s really part of the materiality of Melbourne”.
Smart Arts, Triple R FM Radio , Melbourne, 2023
Curriculum Vitae