Hello, I'm Mitch B.
“Throughout his oeuvre, Barrett gifts the viewer with a rare and sensitive perspective of humanity. Barrett phenomenally unifies a vast spectrum of art history with an undeniably contemporary point of view, as he unequivocally draws into focus elements of modernity with a congenital sense of knowledge and understanding. The fragmented souls he depicts have limitless elements to consider and embolden the spectator by extending a thought provoking study of the internal societal psyche.” Timothy Warrington International Confederation of Art Critics "Barrett emphasizes the contrast of light and dark, his figures are part of an elaborate, eclectic setting which contains a mixture of precise linear passages and painterly suggestive ones...Through his neo-Platonic visual exploration, Barrett is seeking comprehensive answers to the essential dilemmas of life." Dr. Thierry Morel, Lecturer in Art History, University of Oxford Mitch Barrett was born in a small English coal mining town from teenage parents. At an early age drawing, finding solace from his Imagination and stories from Greek mythology. Barrett was fascinated by Salvador Dali's 'Metamorphosis of Narcissus' which was on permanent display in the hallway of his school. As a teenager he felt inspired to explore the subject of narcissism from his own artistic perspective and by the age of 16, had sold his first series of surrealist paintings. During his early twenties and late thirties, he would explore the world as an international fashion model, acquiring experiences that displayed the narcissism of the fashion world. "I'm drawn to the uttermost light and the uttermost dark. I am fascinated by human existence and what makes someone behave in a certain way. I'm curious by what people try to conceal behind the masks that they wear." Barrett trained at Stafford College of Art & Design; he also studied screenwriting and directing at the University of Television and Film in Munich, Germany. At a retrospective exhibition in Vienna in 2001, he met Professor Ernst Fuchs – one of the last old masters and founders of Fantastic Realism –and studied with Fuchs in Austria and France, where he learnt the renaissance masters' techniques including the use of egg tempera and oil glazes which Fuchs called the 'Mischtechnik'. Fuchs' influence was pivotal in shaping Barrett's techniques and his philosophy as an artist and became a mentor to him. Fuchs adage was "by all means break the rules but first know the rules". 'wise and artistic' father to him. Fuchs adage was "by all means break the rules but first know the rules". Barrett Throughout his career, Barrett’s artistic work has been multifaceted. This has allowed him to experiment with different types of media and to work through different styles to express his artistic journey. It is a journey that is not fixed and cannot be confined to just one style of art. It is a fluid energy that seeks to find what works best to express the story behind the image, sometimes combining traditional and contemporary mediums. "I aim to tell stories through my writing, painting and sculpture which I hope will resonate with the observer on a deeper level." Taking inspiration from mythology and psychology, he also draws on personal experience. Often confronted by his own narcissistic tendencies and inner conflicts rooted in duality he strives for a self-exploration through his artwork. The concept of 'fragmentation of the self' inspires his drive to seek unity – embracing masculine and feminine, and both the light and the shadow – which is expressed in his paintings and sculptures. The work of Mitch Barrett is intensely personal, it shows vulnerability yet communicates on common ground to our Modern conflicting world. His art is one that demands from the public a careful investigation to unravel all these intricate details and references that can be pivotal to fully experience his complete work as an artist. It is a process both exciting and rewarding, as the viewer is not passive but rather takes an active part in the interpretation of the artwork which is being presented. His paintings and sculptures are held in many private art collections and have been exhibited and sold around the world.