Biography

As at April 2022
Owner and proprietor of Arte Do Aço, Lisboa. Designer and maker of creative steelwork for bars, restaurants, hotels, offices and private residences www.mickbateman.com

Born: London UK 1961
Lived and worked: Lisbon, Portugal (2015 to 2022)
Study: BA Hons, Fine Art – Middlesex Polytechnic, London

Solo Exhibitions
2012 – 198 Gallery London
2012 – Rag Factory, Shoreditch London
2011 –  Stark Gallery, Canterbury UK
2010 – “Hurt” Solo show at Dalston Superstore, London
2010 –  Café Gallery , Edinburgh 

Group Exhibitions
2017- Bieniele do arte do Gaia
2015- A Fora do Amario. Lisboa.
2013 – Bermondsey Project London – Start 13 – Group Show
2012 – Shoreditch Town Hall – Group show
2012 – Best of Bow Arts show – Bermondsey
2011 – Nunnery Gallery, Bow, London “Can You Hear It” Group show curated by Franko B
2011 – Rag Factory, London “ Danger” Group show
2008 – Nunnery Gallery, Bow “Unnatural Histories” group show
2006 – Mile End Arts Pavilion, London – Summer Group show
2006 – Morley Gallery, London – Group show

Curation & Production
2014 – Made In Bermondsey – Bermondsey Project
2013 – Start 13 ( co-Curator) – Bermondsey Project
2012 – Kevin Fitzpatrick – Bermondsey Project
2011 – Dave Pearson (co-curator) – Bermondsey Project

Creative Project Management
Director of BERMONDSEY PROJECT, London, UK. 2011 – 2014
Developed and managed an arts centre in South London centred on a small art college for ex homeless people. Secured the donation of the host building for five years. The centre also comprised a large art gallery, project spaces, 150 artists’ studios, Sculpture workshop, Furniture making enterprise and a small cinema. The project closed in September 2014 due to the redevelopment of our host building.

Major Achievements
• Provided free studio spaces and secured professional support and mentoring to ex homeless artists and designers in London
• Managed a programme of arts related courses and workshops for over 200 ex homeless and vulnerably housed people in South London
• Managed two gallery spaces and, together with invited curators, presented an eclectic and challenging programme of exhibitions and events – many of them focusing on issues of social exclusion
• Developed a broader creative hub at Bermondsey by working with organisations such as Bow Arts, London Sculpture Workshop and East London Furniture to provide a centre with unrivalled creative resources and facilities in South London.

Director of CRISIS AT CHRISTMAS, London, UK. 2004 – 2013
Managed and developed a seasonal homelessness project across London catering for over 4000 people in ten centres over the Christmas period and involving over 8000 volunteers. The largest annual volunteer run event in Europe, it is the flagship project of a charity that has innovative centres and projects in nine UK cities and is one of the most influential voices against homelessness in the UK.

Director of LONDON COMEDY FESTIVAL, 2001 – 2004
Developed and programmed an annual festival of comedy and humour across London encompassing over 400 comedy, film, literature, cartoons and special events. These included the first open air cinema screening in Trafalgar Square, a programme of visual jokes and humour across the London underground network and fundraising galas featuring many of the UK´s biggest comedians.

Director of Projects at GILDED BALLOON, Edinburgh, UK. 1998 –  2000 
Managed the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival programme for the Gilded Balloon- one of the top three Festival venues, this included procuring and overseeing the fitting out of venues, recruiting staff and managing the day to running of the ten venue organisation. Also developed new projects such as ‘Winter Wonderland’ centred on the UK’s first seasonal outdoor ice rink and featuring a Christmas market, funfair and other attractions.

Director MIX EVENTS, Brighton, UK 1997 –1998 
Provided event consultancy and practical production support to a wide variety of events and projects in Brighton including Brighton Fringe Festival, Essential Music Festival and various clubs and arts organisations

1985 – 1997
Various roles:
Entertainments and Marketing Manager – University of Brighton Students’ Union
Fundraising and Events Manager – Aled Richards Trust ( HIV/AIDS organisation based in Bristol, UK)
Festival Coordinator – Bristol Community Festival