cambridge contemporary art

Mychael Barratt

Meet the artist - Mychael Barratt

Printmaking, Etching, Meet the artist, exhibitions, Paintingcambridge contemporary artComment

For our new exhibition at cambridge contemporary art, Mychael Barratt has filled the walls with his original prints and paintings,  showing an eclectic mix of themes representing all of his major artistic passions. His work is on show from 3rd -23rd September alongside ceramics by Vicky Lindo, Jane Hollidge and Gwen Vaughan. 

To learn more about the way Mychael works we have asked him a few questions.

How did you get started with your art career?
About 25 years ago, I was walking by the Thames when I popped in to the Royal Festival Hall to get out of the rain. There was a printmaking exhibition on in the foyer and I was so impressed that I started an etching course at Central St Martins the following week. I had been working as a painter before but that was when I started printmaking. 

How do you go about making a new piece?
For big pieces the idea is always the starting point. Once I have the inspiration I start on doing the research and usually don't do any drawing until I've virtually planned the whole thing out in my head. The paintings are much more spontaneous. 

What is your preferred medium/colour pallet to use?
I love both painting and printmaking. As I make them in two separate studios and approach them so differently I couldn't say which is a favourite medium. In printmaking, my heart is definitely in etching.

What inspired the range of work that we have in the gallery?
The work in the gallery was inspired by various things. The 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare has had a huge impact on my work, inspiring at least three pieces. A recent visit walking around Cambridge has obviously inspired a couple of the paintings.

Exit, Pursued by a Bear

A Map of Shakespeare's London

 

We are currently showing your dog works, how do you go about selecting the artist that you paying homage to?
The artists are all ones whose work I admire but the most crucial thing is that little eureka moment when I get an idea that makes me laugh. They are sincere homages made with a huge level of care but are also hopefully quite funny. 

Is it challenging emulating all the different styles of your dog works? What is the style that you are most pleased to have achieved?
Emulating the style of the different artists is always a challenge because it forces me to work in unfamiliar manners. The one I am most pleased with is probably the Turner. I am constantly learning by doing these and painting the Hockney's dogs was definitely the most fun and has probably had the biggest impact on how I paint. 

Turner's Dog

Hockney's Dogs

Which other artists do you admire?
I admire so many artists and have a large art library. In printmaking, Rembrandt, Goya, Hogarth, Chris Orr and Grayson Perry. In painting my heart is definitely with Chagall although I think the way I work is more like Hopper. The list would be endless. 

Could you describe a typical working day?
I divide a typical day up between research and practical work and a perfect day would see me doing some printmaking and some painting. I'm happiest when I have a huge stretch of drawing ahead of me.

How do you see your work evolving in the future?
In the future I plan to do at least a couple more huge maps and carry on with the other strands and themes of my work like the artist's dogs and cats. Really I want to just keep getting better! 

Meet Mychael Barratt in the gallery on Saturday 24 September, 1-3pm. Mychael will be at cambridge contemporary art (6 Trinity Street, Cambridge) showing visitors how he produces his work.

September exhibition at CCA

Printmaking, Painting, ceramics, exhibitionscambridge contemporary artComment

You and your friends are warmly invited to the exhibition preview on Saturday 3rd September from 11 am. You can meet Mychael Barratt at the gallery on Saturday 3rd September, 11-1pm and Saturday 24th September, 1-3pm.

 exhibition runs 3rd -23rd September 2016

Painter and printmaker Mychael Barratt creates works that are full of detail, humour and a great sense of storytelling. He draws inspiration from sources as diverse as fairy tales, historical figures and Shakespearean dramas to classic paintings and pop culture. Mychael has created a range of work that features famous artists and their pets, skillfully re-imagined in the original artist’s style, resulting in a humorous sense of déjá vu.

Mychael Barratt

Edward Hopper's Dog

etching

Mychael Barratt

Stray Cats and Lost Sonnets

etching

Mychael Barratt

Magritte's Dogs

oil on panel

Vicky Lindo Ceramics is the creative partnership of Vicky Lindo and William Brookes. Producing earthenware slip cast ceramics, they use coloured underglazes and slips to illustrate and decorate their tableware and animal figures. We are delighted to welcome them to our gallery.

Jane Hollidge's pots are all made by hand, using coiling and pinching methods. Some are then burnished for smoke firing.  Jane likes to keep the shapes simple and decorates her post with abstract designs in vibrant colours using velvet glazes.

Gwen Vaughan creates figurative sculptural pieces using the traditional technique of pinching. Gwen works with a rich black clay, and carves into the surface to create a texture inspired by the qualities of slate and stone. She uses washes of coloured slip to enhance textural detail.

Vicky Lindo

Bear Pot Black and Gold

ceramic

Gwen Vaughan

Whale

ceramic

Jane Hollidge

Bowl

ceramic