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Mike Worrall
The enigmatic, dreamlike paintings of Mike Worrall are often inspired by historical themes.
Informed by his work in film, Worrall deals with the sublime in his hyperreal depictions of
the mysterious. As in a dream, the quiet façade and the beauty of the large scale oil paintings
masks the intriguing content and enormous energy underpinning the works.
Mike Worrall
Based on the Central Coast of NSW, Australia, Mike has been a practicing artist since the
early 60s and exhibits both locally and internationally.
Mike Worrall
Mike is also represented in Paris, France and is a permanent artist at La Galerie L’Oeil Du
Prince, Located at no 30 rue Cardinet, 75017 Paris, France.
“I have been painting since the early 1960’s and am almost entirely self taught. I still retain the
basic technique and style developed in these early years. I am committed to exploring the subconscious
and I like Paul Delvaux and Max Ernst amongst others.
Mike Worrall artist
I’ve worked in the feature film industry as an Ideas Artist. You can see my work on Alien III
website. I was told by Roman Polanski that a painting of mine he had, gave him the idea of making
the film Macbeth. He based the second scene on the painting. I have works in the collections
of Victor Lownes, Alan Price of the Animals, Roman Polanski, Nicholas Roeg, Vincent Ward,
Alex Proyas and many others.
Since moving to Australia in 1988, I’ve exhibited regularly with Wagner Gallery Sydney, and
have a one man show every two years.
As a child I was always intrigued by paintings involving some sought of mystery element. So I
have tended to be drawn in this direction myself. Get the viewer guessing and wondering what
it’s about! Quite often I’m not sure myself but for some inexplicable reason it might work as a
picture. I might not understand it myself even. It may be an expression on a face or just a pose or
location.
I’m a firm believer that I should not have to attempt to explain the enigma to people and that the
picture should retain some mystery for a lasting interest. This I hasten to add is not so with all
work off course! I’m only referring to my surreal content paintings!
I’m interested in Dreams and Subconscious thoughts and the weirdness of how we go from one
thought to another in an almost drifting process. Dreams are a great source of material for me.
Not that I wake up and paint the dream that I may have had, even if I could remember it, I’d
then have to most likely make up the details. My paintings are more deliberate and constructed
with the element of change.
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