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The Artist
Michael Barker was born in Leicester and studied art at Leicester
College of Art where he obtained the National Diploma in Design.
He has been classed as one of the country's top showman's
artists, being fully experienced in lettering, calligraphy and design.
It has been said that Michael Barker involves himself in
too many artistic styles and that he should put all his energies into one way
of painting. Through the years, Michael has always been very much against
this idea and believes that he should use, to the fullest extent, all his large
array of talents as an artist.
His abilities range from design work and ceramics to fine,
modern and traditional styles. We do not know of another artist who has ever
been able to put his own personal mark on such a variety of subjects.
This makes his work able to please most tastes. Far from
being a bad thing, we firmly believe that it is just the opposite, showing just
what being an artist is all about.
His works are art - full of human feeling - they
are living pieces. Not, as so much art is doing these days, being slick
and doing no more than what a good photographer would do.
Michael Barker's paintings grow on you as you enjoy them
more and more. Decoration, graphics, calligraphy, furniture painting, ceramics,
drawings and paintings - all these subjects having unmistakably his own personality
stamped on them.
We believe that Michael Barker's work will become highly
prized in years to come.
Fairground painting
An important part of Michael Barker's art is his pictures
of Fairground scenes. Fairs were, and indeed still are, an exciting and colourful
aspect of English life. There are have been a few painters working on this subject
matter. Michael has made this his specialty, bringing out the movement and atmosphere
associated with fairgrounds. He brings to life the work of the showman and the
fun of the fair.
Modern Paintings
Michael Barker's modern pictures are an evolution of his
work in the early 1960s. His ideas started with an effect of light and shadows
and the play of reflections on various surfaces. Sometimes these turned into
complete abstractions; into which he introduces a dream like effect; an extraordinary
combination of traditionalism and modernism to create pleasing and interesting
pictures. The viewer is transported from the worries of everyday life and is
able to reflect on them to develop a feeling of discovery and relaxation.
Ceramics
Michael's large artistic output includes Ceramics, whether
he is making models, decorated vases or plates, his pieces display originality
and creativity.
"A more interesting way"
Michael Barker told us: "I don't want to be someone who changes
art. My interests are to produce pictures that are painted in a more interesting
way than those that we usually see.
"I am able to produce art works without models. I use my
memory and my imagination to show subjects in a different way.
"As an artist, I enjoy paintings that are me ...
of me. I believe that, throughout all my subjects, whether modern or
traditional, my work will satisfy and be appreciated by people of all tastes.
In my work there is something for everyone to enjoy.
"I just look and leave the rest to my imagination."
The future
Michael is keen to find someone to promote his work, both
his original works, his prints, greetings cards and other productions.
He is particularly interested in helping charities to raise
money through reproducing his pictures in a variety of formats.
Enquiries about this can be made to the Editor of this magazine
via our contact page.
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