From a graphic artist working in a Melbourne design studio in the mid-seventies to teaching in Secondary Colleges, running a one-man screen printing business, working as a builders laborer and even a resort manager, Michael Whitehead has always been associated with the creative process.

For the past few years he has been painting full time with his work hanging in galleries across Australia as well as purchases going overseas.

Collections include:

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
Brico Melbourne
Titanium Developments Queensland
Stockland Developments Gold Coast
Toll Logistics

Michael Whitehead’s work is about the creation of usually large, layered contemporary abstract paintings. He employs a mix of media including acrylic, oil, bitumen and oil stick to create deliberate tension, resistance and intensity. At times blocks of color may be layered to capture or reflect light or a mood where the under-painting appears to be attempting to break through to provide a fleeting glimpse of a secret world beneath.

The paintings are instinctive and have a sense of urgency but their creation is through deliberate process. If paint runs across a canvas it’s because the artist is happy for it to go there or has even encouraged it to do so. Every stroke, every line, is intended to leave a record of its journey. The works exhibit no fear of exposing their inner selves -- the “complexity of construction” if you like -- of how they came to be.

Exhibitions

2004 Affordable Art Show Exhibition Buildings Melbourne
Affordable Art Show Fox Studios Sydney

2005 Affordable Art Show Exhibition Buildings Melbourne
Affordable Art Show Fox Studios Sydney
Brisbane Art Show Convention Centre Brisbane

2006 Thierry B Gallery Group Show Melbourne
Art Melbourne '06 Exhibition Buildings Melbourne
Art Sydney '06 Fox Studios Sydney

2007 March - Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery Sydney
April - Art Melbourne '07 Exhibition Buildings Melbourne
June - Libby Edwards Galleries Group Show Brisbane
October - Jive Art and Design Noosa
October - Art Sydney '07 Fox Studios Sydney

2008 April -Art Melbourne ‘08
May -Gadfly Gallery Perth
May – Art Brisbane ‘08
June – The 2 Exhibition Fremantle
October – Art Singapore ‘08
October – Art Sydney ‘08

Stand 4 (600 x 900 mm)
Mixed Media on Linen

  
Stand 2 (600 x 900 mm)
Mixed Media on Linen

Daydream Believer (1400 x 2000 mm)
Mixed Media on Linen SOLD

Dream Police (2000 x 1400 mm)
Mixed Media on LinenSOLD

Shelter From The Storm (2100 x 1500 mm)
Mixed Media on Linen

New York Minute (2400 x 1200 mm)
Acrylic & Bitumen on Linen