Mitchell is currently based on the mid-north coast of NSW. As a multidisciplinary artist, he works in the studio practices of printmaking, drawing, painting, textiles, and photography.
Mitchell's work frequently explores themes involving a combination of seemingly disparate elements such as family heirlooms and collected natural specimens. These works suggest poetic narratives that appeal to the viewer’s curiosity and imagination. Time is an ever-present player in each composition, made apparent through the visible signs of age. Light is also utilized to create both a sense of drama and emotion. A recent series by Mitchell depicts oyster shell specimens discovered on a local beach. The series confines drawing media to black pencil and paper combined with rudimentary printmaking techniques, allowing the complexity of each subject to become a focal point.
Mitchell has been selected as a finalist in prestigious art awards such as The Blake Art Prize, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, the Fremantle Print Award, Fremantle Arts Centre, Western Australia, and the Fisher’s Ghost Art Award,Campbelltown Arts Centre, NSW.
Curriculum Vitae
Born 1961, Darug Country, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
Resides and works in Gumbaynggirr Country, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia
Education/training:
[2001-2003]: Bachelor of Fine Art, National Art School, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2008-2010]: Master of Fine Art, National Art School, Sydney, NSW Australia
Selected group exhibitions:
[2019] In Mono, Stables Gallery, Bellingen, NSW, Australia
[2019] Book Ends, The Brewery, Bellingen, NSW, Australia
[2015] Fisher’s Ghost Art Award, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
[2011] Pirtek Still Life Award, Bowral Art Gallery, Bowral, NSW, Australia
[2010] The Plate Show, National Art School, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2009] Blake Prize Touring Exhibition, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
[2008] Blake Prize Exhibition, NAS Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2008] International Exchange Exhibition, Hongik University, Seoul, South Korea
[2008] Alvaro Painting Prize, Bowral Art Gallery, Bowral, NSW, Australia
[2008] Camden Art Prize Exhibition, Camden Civic Centre, Camden , NSW, Australia
[2007] Capitals Project, Han Jun Arts Centre, Seoul, South Korea
[2007] Fisher’s Ghost Art Award, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
[2007] Fairfield Art Prize, Club Marconi, Wetherill Park, NSW, Australia
[2007] Diverse Dialogues, Stein Gallery, Fairfield, NSW, Australia
[2007] Alvaro Painting Prize, Bowral Art Gallery, Bowral, NSW, Australia
[2007] Fremantle Print Award, Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
[2006] Fisher’s Ghost Art Award, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
[2006] Fairfield Art Prize, Club Marconi, Wetherill Park, NSW, Australia
[2006] John Copes Prize, Bowral Art Gallery, Bowral, NSW, Australia
[2006] Three Graduates, Australian Galleries, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2005] National Art School BFA Show, National Art School, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2004] Camden Art Prize, Camden Civic Centre, Camden, NSW, Australia
[2003] Fisher’s Ghost Art Award, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
[2002] Fisher’s Ghost Art Award, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
Selected collections:
Camden Municipal Council, Camden, NSW, Australia
South Western Sydney Area Health Service, NSW, Australia
Features in various private collections.
Awards:
[2015] Fisher’s Ghost Art Prize (finalist), Campbelltown Arts Centre, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
[2008] Blake Prize (finalist), NAS Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2007] Fremantle Print Award (finalist), Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
[2006] John Copes Prize (honorable mention), Bowral Art Gallery, Bowral, NSW, Australia
[2005] Outstanding Achievement in Printmaking, (award), Australian Galleries, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2004] Camden Purchase Prize (winner), Camden Civic Centre, Camden, NSW, Australia
[2004] Camden Purchase Prize (winner, works on paper), Camden Civic Centre, NSW, Australia
Selected press:
International Exchange Exhibition of Prints Catalogue, Printmaking Department, Hongik Uni., Seoul (2008).
The Capitals Project, 34th Members Exhibition of the Hongik Printmakers Association Catalogue (2007).
Australian Art review, Publishing Clontarf, Australia (March-June 2006).
Professional contributions
[2015]: Drawing presentation, Macquarie University, Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2012]: Drawing, Fresh Perspectives in Early Childhood, Children’s Services Central, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2012]: Painting in the Early Years, Modern Teaching Aids, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
[2012]: Visual Arts in Early Childhood, Kirinari Early Childhood Centre, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
[2012]: Viewing Paper Through an Unfamiliar Lens, Macquarie University, Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2012]: Visual Arts in Early Childhood, Explore and Develop Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2011]: Painting in the Early Years, Modern Teaching Aids, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2011]: Drawing in the Early Childhood Curriculum, Modern Teaching Aids, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2011]: Creating With Clay: Building Ideas and Shaping the Imagination, Modern Teaching Aids, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2011]: Real Journeys, Imagined Journeys: An Adventure With Puppets in Early Childhood, Macquarie University, Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2011]: Visual Arts Master Class, Macquarie University, Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2010]: Drawing with a Little d, Children’s Services Central, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2010]: Drawing in Early Childhood, Macquarie University, Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
[2009]: Drawing with a Little d, TAFE NSW, Department of Education, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, NSW
[2008-20090]: Sessional Lecturer in Printmaking, National Art School, Sydney, NSW, Australia