* PAUL MARTIN (BRITISH 1948 - 2022)
WEDDING IN THE FOOTHILLS

mixed media (pigment and varnish) on board, signed, titled label verso
framed

image size 97cm x 97cm, overall size 115cm x 115cm

Label verso: Flying Colours Gallery, London.
Note: Paul Martin was born in Bournemouth in 1948. He began his studies in the late 1960's at Birmingham School of Art, a college dominated by Abstract Expressionism, before moving to the Royal Academy whose more traditional methods focused largely on life-drawing. Neither approach proved entirely congenial, but Paul described those years as ones of 'productive disagreement'. Martin's own artistic practice was always firmly rooted in nature, but nature seen as a metaphor, never the end but always only the start of the journey. Something similar might be said of his use of the human figure: his figures are tangible yet otherworldly. They exist in the here and now, but also somewhere else, in memory perhaps, or in death. Their eyes engage directly with the viewer, a gaze not challenging, but steady and serene and seeking communion. Paul Martin exhibited widely both at home and abroad, and has work in the collections of The Royal Academy, The British Museum and the BBC. Over the course of his career he garnered many awards including The British Institution prize for Printmaking and The Royal Academy Awards for Painting and Printmaking. Shortly after Paul Martin's death, The Leith School of Art (Edinburgh) posted these words on the LSA website as part of their tribute: Paul was a very significant member of staff at Leith School of Art for over 15 years and retired around 10 years ago. Paul then returned to the School to teach on Continuing Professional Development with Alastair Gordon for a few years. He will be remembered as an extraordinary thinker and artist, and a much valued friend and mentor to both staff and students within the School. Although Paul will be dearly missed, his remarkable legacy as an artist, teacher and colleague will remain with the School and everyone who knew him.