MA student Michelle Brown a.k.a Mitsi B Kral, 54 years old from Brighton, is exhibiting at The Bis, Hartlepool as part of The Northern Art Gala, a creative multi-venue showcase rolled out across the Tees Valley. Her work explores and seeks to overcome personal experiences focusing on ‘a cathartic release of emotions through the process of Intuitive painting and the use of pareidolia’. Read on to find out more:

(please note there are some references to domestic violence below)

Tell us about your involvement in The Northern Art Gala 2024!

The Northern Art Gala 2024 is an exhibition of MA students work as part of our first module Extended Practice, I will be exhibiting with a group of four other artists at The Bis Hartlepool. There are many exhibitions taking place under the umbrella of The Northern Art Gala that include, Kirkleatham Museum, The Arc and solo shows at various venues that all kicked off on the 12th of January. The exhibition at The Bis runs until Feb 19th 2024.

Tell us about the work you will be exhibiting:

The body of work  consists of four quadriptych groups and three Paintings. The whole body of work focused on spawning a voice and telling a story about a horrific life changing, near death incident that I went through, (strangled by my partner). The work focuses on a cathartic release of emotions through the process of Intuitive painting and the use of pareidolia. I investigated memories and the emotions and feelings that arose, this was then developed into a body of work that explored the interconnections between them. The body of work was gathered via the form of sketchbooks, scrap bits of paper with quickly drawn visions and words. This was all pieced together to form a larger main work, stitching all the memories jointly as one, into a lyrical montage. Connecting memories together began the process of extending the body of work so  it related in different ways, like a never-ending story, a constant revolving film that replayed a reoccurring nightmare. 

The mediums I use are are everything and anything, I like to mix it up. I don’t have any rules. I tend to grab what I have to hand. Since Starting my MA I’ve began to use oil paint, before I had no patience for it to dry, but I’ve found a way of using it where it dries very quickly. I am not a patient painter, I see an image and I have to ‘get it out’ as quickly as possible. I used to use spray paint but due to heath issues I don’t use it anymore. 

How are you finding studying on the MA? Do you think that the postgraduate course has positively benefitted you and your practice?

I am studying MA Arts Practice. At first I was very daunted by the whole experience, returning to education after 24 years and being the ‘old’ person was weird. But I have settled in now, I’m finding it super fab and a very positive experience. I am regaining my confidence again.

Stay up to date with Mitsi’s work on her Instagram @mitsibkral, you can also head to mitsibkral.com. 

If you are interested in taking the next steps in your academic career make sure you head to our MA website pages to check out the courses we offer.

If you or someone you know is being affected by domestic abuse there are a number of charities and organisations that can offer support such as Women’s Aid, Refuge, ManKind and Mind. We also have a number of Mental Health and Wellbeing resources collated here by our Student Support Team.