Michael Twenty-Three (born Michael Hudson), of Miami, Az., passed away on June 6, 2023, after heart failure.
Michael 23 was born on Nov. 16, 1969, to Robert and Judith Hudson of Elmhurst, Illinois. Michael graduated from York High School in 1987. He then earned a BS in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. Having become interested in art during college, Michael took a job working under Yves Amu Klein mentoring in computer robotics for living art sculptures. He also kicked off his career in the arts by mentoring under artist David Thierrien. He had a passion for providing affordable housing for artists that also gave them access to art galleries, stages, coffee and retail shops, to incubate small independent businesses as well as encourage free expression. He also considered just about everyone to be an artist.
Michael was a creative soul whose magnetic personality drew artists to him and his endeavors. Whether in Phoenix at the Firehouse artspace or at Miami Art Works in Miami, he became a natural leader in the art community. For everyone who knew him he was generous to offer hope, philosophical insight, creative space, love, and friendship.
His chosen last name, Twenty-three, is a number for synchronicity. Among the many meanings found in the number 23, it represents the number of chromosome pairs in human DNA. Its digits added together yield 5 - the number of woman; multiplied, 6 - the number of man. Thus represents the magical significance when the two are joined. William Burroughs first discovered the number 23 as a word virus. Robert Anton Wilson also describes in depth the 23 mystery in a book Joanna was reading when she first met Michael 23. Thanks RAW. Michael was a genius and a visionary, a culturalist and philosopher who provided hope, creative space, love, and support to anyone who crossed his path. His impact and influence will be forever remembered by all.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 23 years Joanna 23, their son Enki 23, his mom and dad Bob and Judy Hudson, sister Kelly Campbell, mom and dad in-law Carolyn and Bill Lockyear, brothers and sisters in-law Kristin and Scott Valenti and Mark and Ruth Lockyear, nieces and nephews Kailey, Brittaney Deagan, Bella Sagoian, Kyla and Brett Valenti, and his beloved pets Bandit the dog and Herman the cat.
Michael loved the symbol of the phoenix rising. It is in this spirit we celebrated his life, and light, on Monday evening, June 12, 2023, at Bulman Miles Funeral Services in Miami, Arizona.
