Artist Statement

Martin is an autodidact. In subject matter and style he has a diverse artistic output – anything from expressionist work to realistic portraiture - but recently he has begun to focus more and more on figurative painting which includes the still life on show here. He paints still life as an exercise - above all - in observation and mark-making (which feeds into his other work) and aims for a painterly finish and fine detail, sometimes with a slightly surreal/humorous twist.

"My drive to create art is from two distinct sources; it can be both an emotional response to words & language and visually the effects of dramatic light on colour and form. Influences and inspiration that directly result in specific work often arise from images (or even words & phrases – especially from poetry) in current affairs and the world around me. This is especially so if they strike a chord with my own past or trigger sometimes distant personal memories.

I try to use my sense of colour and love of form to raise the spirits. One of my abiding hopes is that, like music, art can serve to engender a greater sense of wellbeing – in observer and creator alike. I believe art at its best can be a simple, joyful experience as well as a vehicle for asking more difficult & fundamental questions about the human experience.”