MICHAEL WHITEHEAD

S T A T E M E N T

My work is the creation of usually large layered abstracts, in which each brush stroke challenges the previous one,

the creation of deliberate tension, resistance and intensity. 

Large blocks of colour may be layered to capture or reflect light, or at times a more moody palate may be used, where

the under-painting appears to be attempting to break throughto provide a fleeting glimpse of a secret world beneath. 

I believe a painting has to be instinctive and have a sense of urgency  but yet remain precise. If paint runs across a canvas it’s because I’m happy for it to go there or I may have even encouraged it to do so.

Every stroke, every line, is intended to leave a record of its journey. I want the works exhibit no fear of exposing their inner selves -the “complexity of construction” if you like, - of how they came to be.

Born in England 1954

A R T I S T    P R O F I L E

Michael Whitehead began work as a graphic artist in a design studio in Melbourne Australia in the mid-seventies.

He has taught art in Victorian Secondary Colleges, opened a one-man screen-printing business, and worked

as a builder’s labourer. 

He has also taken time out to travel overseas. For the past few years he has been painting full time 
with his work represented in Australian galleries.

Completed diploma of Art and Design (Graphic Design), 

at the Bendigo Institute of Technology 1974

Graphic Artist NTG Design South Melbourne 1975-76

Completed Diploma of Education State College of Victoria

Hawthorn 1977

Taught Art and Photography in Victorian

Technical Colleges 1978-1993 

Opened a commercial screen printing studio in 1991

Moved to Queensland in 1994

Freelance design and drawing projects 1994-2001

Painting full time since 2002

C O L L E C T I O N S    I N C K L U D E

Etihad Towers Abu Dhabi, The Jumeirah Suite

Trades and Patents Office Canberra

Taylor's Modern Dining Melbourne

Nambour General Hospital

Silverwater Resort San Remo

Hudson Personnel Melbourne

Thierry B Contemporary Art Collection

Soho Boutique Bendigo

Symes Motors Bendigo

Brico Developments Melbourne

Titanium Developments Queensland

Stockland Developments Gold Coast

Toll Logistics

Conrad Jupiters Casino

Edge Water Restaurant Coles Bay Tasmania

Soul Apartments Surfers Paradise

E X H I B I T I O N S:   G R O U P

2004

April- Affordable Art Show Exhibition Buildings Melbourne

2004

October- Affordable Art Show Fox Studios Sydney

2005

April- Affordable Art Show Exhibition Buildings Melbourne

2005

June- Brisbane Art Show Convention Centre Brisbane

2005

October- Affordable Art Show Fox Studios Sydney

2006

March- ThierryB Gallery Melbourne

2006

April- Art Melbourne '06 Exhibition Buildings Melbourne

2006

September- Art Sydney '06 Fox Studios Sydney

2007

April- Art Melbourne '07 Exhibition Buildings Melbourne

2007

June- Libby Edwards Galleries  Brisbane

2007

October- Art Sydney '07  Fox Studios Sydney

2008

April - Art Melbourne '08  Exhibition Buildings Melbourne

2008

May- Art Brisbane '08 Convention Centre Brisbane

2008

June- Colour of Light Exhibition Fremantle

2009

April- Art Melbourne '09 Exhibition Buildings Melbourne

2009

October- Art Singapore '09  Thierry B Gallery

2010

February - Gallery-One Southport

2011

June – “Black and White” Jive Contemporary Art Noosa

2013

Impulse International / Germany, Kunat Fine Art      

2013 

December - Gallery-One Gold Coast

2014 

May - Asian Contempoary Art Show Hong Kong,

Jive Contemporary Art

E X H I B I T I O N S:   S O L O

2007

March- ‘Before The Deluge’ Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery Sydney

2007

October- ‘Mystical Landscape”  Jive Contemporary Art Noosa

2008

May- “Book Of Dreams” Gadfly Gallery Perth

2009

October- “Splendid Isolation” Jive Contemporary art Noosa

2010

April- “Dancing On The Storm” Gallery-One Gold Coast

2010

October- “Phalanx”  Jive Contemporary Art Noosa

2011

October – “Hooked On You”  Jive Contemporary Art Noosa

2011

October- “Affinity” Gallery-One Southport

2012

"Howling Wind" Jive Contemporary Art Noosa  

2013

Jive Contemporary Art at the Noosa

International Wine and Food Festival

2013 

July Gallery-One Gold Coast

2013 

December  Jive Contemporary Art Noosa

2014 
April Soho Galleries Sydney