Awards and Commissions 2022 Bradford Big Screen Event showing etchings in the city centre throughout January and February 2022 Review of Big Screen Event in the Bradford T&A and Keighley News 2021 Commission to illustrate Queen of Swords for Leeds Tarot Card Project 2021 CD Illustrations for the Ensemble of the Golden Bough Brass Quintet 2020 Commission by Co-Partnership Design Agency to produce a series of wine label etchings for the Prisoner Wine Company (TPWCo), California 2019 Etchings from the 'City Fragments' series acquired by Leeds City Art Gallery as part of their Picture Lending Scheme. 2019 Artist in Residence Cliffe Castle Museum Keighley 2018 Monoprinting demonstration at the Biscuit Factory 2006 Request to produce the Commemorative Print for Leeds Art Fair 2000 Illustrated the gothic thriller 'Angel' published by Bookworks, London 1998-2000 Illustrated for the Erotic Review Solo Exhibitions 2020-21 Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley 2017 Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton, Leeds 2010 Courthouse, Otley 2007 ArtCo, Leeds 2006 Design Innovation Centre, Leeds 2006 Art and Design Gallery, Horsforth 2005 Nightingale Gallery, Lotherton Hall 1996 Leeds City Art Gallery Group Exhibitions 2013-22 Biscuit Factory, Newcastle 2012 ArtCo, Leeds 2010 Leeds Art Fair, The Light 2005 Tregoning Gallery, Derby 2004 Reubens Gallery,Leeds 1997 Eagle Gallery, London Gallery Representation The Biscuit Factory Gallery, Newcastle |
I was born on a Pennine farm in 1966. The depiction of animals and an anthropomorphic quality to my work reflects a deep connection between animal and human worlds with an awareness of the physical and psychic split that we have created between ourselves and the rest of nature. The themes of vulnerability to forces beyond our control and a search for solace in a complex, fractious age often sit below the surface.
Making Art has always been a way to think through experience, and by this I don't mean it is in any way therapeutic, but that my deeper connections and wrangles with life are best explored visually, and as such, much of my work is symbolic of life experiences. The work here is a kind of visionary diary, coming about through necessity and a gut response to the world around me. After completing a fine art degree in 1989, I worked on farms in Wales before moving to the West Indies where I tried to live self sufficiently. In 1992 I returned to Europe, sailing the Atlantic on a 30’ yacht with the sole company of the captain. Experiencing life threatening storms and hunger I disembarked in Spain and tramped over the following weeks to Holland where I again found farm work. I mention these biographical details as their psychological effect has influenced and inspired subsequent work including visionary etchings expressive of awe, displacement, fear, and a religiosity brought about through such vainglorious trials. War and conflict (including inner conflict) often resurfaces in my art. It became a specific theme in the 90’s following harrowing news reports from the Balkans, and as we are daily reminded of man's inhumanity to man, the theme continues to be reflected in my images. A note about etching: I have focused on the drypoint technique of etching for its visceral, tactile quality. I enjoy the sheer graft and resistance of the metal point cutting into the aluminium, which allows a delay between thought and action. "Although we in the West are largely regarded to be living in secular societies, we remain obsessed with searching for soulful experiences and spiritual sustenance and trying to capture the sense of awe that the religious can still so effortlessly achieve" Mapin Art Gallery (The Sacred and the Profane) "All pessimistic, nihilistic behaviour and assertion is only intended to create, or to discover hope" Gerhard Richter 
Contact:
For updates and works in progress see: mikemoorartist@instagram.com I live in the Aire Valley between Keighley and Ilkley Moor, working from a small studio overlooking the garden. Please email if you have any queries or would like to visit: mikeamoor@hotmail.com |