A Detroit native, Cannell intricately weaves his city's tumultuous history into his art. Raised amidst Detroit's decline, he observed the transformation from prosperity to abandonment, forging a unique artistic perspective. His journey from ceramics to abstract sculpture, enriched by graphic arts and typography, is emblematic of his versatile creativity. Today, from his Highland Park studio, his work resonates in museums and galleries across the United States, where he masterfully blurs the boundaries between art, craft, and design.