Tony Martin
Biography
Tony Martin is an American multimedia artist and painter[1] who often works with light and sound to create art installations. He focuses on interactive new media works by employing digital hardware or software to incorporate the concept that the viewer is a direct and necessary part of the art "object"[2]. Martin has received notable commissions for works ranging from multisensory environmental installations such as Theater For Walkers, Talkers, Touchers (1962) to webworks that deal with the idea of virtual presence such as Galaxy (2003)[3]. It is not uncommon for him to produce elaborate pieces from collaborating with new music composers, poets, or other artists[4], although his individual drawings and paintings are also widely exhibited.
Tony Martin was born into an artist family in 1937, son of painter and graphic artist David Stone Martin and brother of graphic artist Stefan Martin. After attending University of Michigan and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago[5], Martin has devoted himself since the 1960's to becoming an artist of new media.
Artistic Influences
"I thought of walking round and round a space
Utterly empty, utterly a source
Where the decked chestnut tree had lost its place
In our front hedge above the wallflowers."
from Clearances In Memoriam M.K.H., 1911-1984 by Seamus Heaney
The words from this poem greatly influenced Tony Martin in his work, almost as a manifesto. His artworks are deeply felt visual representations of an emotional response to the things that inspire him. Needless to say, most inspirations change with time, though some have stayed consistent throughout the artist's life. Poetry, music, and architecture are the main sources of influence that he draws upon for his work[6]. Imagined spaces are evoked by the rhythm of poetry. Music, in its flow of sound and silence, can take on a visual presence. Landscape and architecture, especially fields, contain the history of what happened there[7]. To Martin, these three things have a common sense of space and interval within their pauses, interruptions, and their void. Absence captures as much emotion as any phrase, sound, or physical presence[8].
Although much of Martin's work are stemmed from the influence of others' creations, it cannot be forgotten that the artist is the one deciding on the medium, the strokes, the concept, and the extent of the art piece. Several of his works, such as A Lined Space, started with the random act of picking up a blue conté crayon and bringing it to a piece of printmaking paper, as Martin often works with prints. However, this act of chance becomes something more as the artist reworks the piece until he has an "internal sense of when a line is right"[9].
Art Work
Related Work
Other Works
- from Predannack Suite
- A Lined Space
- Wisdom
- Resonance in Blues
- Resonance in Red
- Side To Side
- Around Daybreak
- The Mariner's Tale
- Ovala
- Birthplace of Shells
Exhibitions
2014
- Along Edges, Lighthouse Arts Centre, Poole
- Noel,Noel, Highgate Contemporary Art, London
- Wander in Gladness, Coleridge Cottage, Nether Stowey
- Drawings & Prints, 3D Gallery, Bristol
- Impressions, The Musgrove Gallery, Art for Life, Taunton
- Christmas Festival, Wine St. Gallery @ NO 10, Devizes
2013
- Recent Drawings, Highgate Contemporary Art, London
- Kindling the Scarp, Wheal Martyn Museum, St Austell, Cornwall
- SIX Projects Space, Bournemouth
- Dorchester Open 2013, Dorchester Arts Centre
- Fingerprint Printmakers, Mount House Gallery, Marlborough
- Sketchbook Project, Brooklyn Art Library, New York
2012
- Fingerprint Printmakers, Bridgwater Arts Centre
- Evolver Prize, Atkinson Gallery, Millfield
- Winter Show, Westcott's Gallery, St. Ives
- Group Show, 3D Gallery, Bristol
2011
- Recent Drawings, Westcott's Gallery, St. Ives
- Space, Grace & Line, Royal Literary & Scientific Institution, Bath
- Open 2011, Dorchester Arts Centre
- Renewal and Regeneration, Thelma Hulbert Gallery
2010
- Away Over the Hills, The Musgrove Gallery
- Contemporary Drawing, Rabley Drawing Centre
- Open 2010, Dorchester Arts Centre
- Evolver 2010, Thelma Hulbert Gallery
2009
- Second Space, Recent Drawings & Prints, Marlborough College
- Impact! Spike Island, Bristol
- Evolver (1st Prize) Dorchester County Museum
- Cooper Young, Memphis TN, USA
- Snap It Up, Bridport Arts Centre
- Air Gallery, Wells
- Open 09, Thelma Hulbert Gallery
2008
- AAF, London
- Evolver , Rook Lane Arts, Frome
- Contemporary Art, Morgan Boyce Contemporary Art, Marlborough
2007
- Between the Lines, Sherborne House, Dorset
- Spaces & Places, Bishop's Palace, Wells
- Somerset Printmakers, Salisbury Playhouse Gallery
- A Walking Line, Alpha House Gallery, Sherborne
2006
- Mixed Exhibition, Thomas Corman Fine Art, London
- Visible Arts School, Memphis TN, USA
- Contemporary Art, Morgan Boyce Contemporary Art, Marlborough
- Somerset Printmakers - Sherborne House, Dorset
2005
- Sequences, Recent Work- Bridgwater Arts Centre
- Sequences, Recent Work - Mount House Gallery, Marlborough
- The Road Less Travelled - Malthouse Gallery, East Lambrook Manor
- Work, Place, Art - SE1 Gallery, London
2004
- Between the Lines, Recent Work - Brewhouse Arts Centre, Taunton
- Somerset Printmakers, Two Rivers Press
- Recent Prints - Wine Street Gallery, Devizes
- Gallery Artists, 3D Gallery, Bristol
2003
- Hamburg Contemporary Print Fair, Germany
- Somerset Printmakers - Bridport Arts Centre
2002
- South West Artists - Rowe & Maw, London
- Mind & Eye - Havant Arts Centre
- Printers Inc. - Brewhouse Arts Centre, Taunton
2001
- Bremen Contemporary Print Fair, Germany
- Somerset Printmakers - The Gallery, Dorchester
- Encore - Royal West Academy, Bristol
- Open 01 - Victoria Gallery, Bath
2000
- Recent Prints, Spike Island, Bristol
- Open 2000, Malvern Arts Festival
- Person from Porlock - Phoenix Gallery, Exeter
1999
- RWA Open - Royal West Academy, Bristol
- Landscape & Art, Sadler Street Gallery, Wells
1998
- Into Silence - Portobello Gallery, London
- Inner Space/Outer Space - Generator Gallery, Loughborough University
1995
- Recent Work -St Michael's Gallery, London
- ChristmasShow, Byard Gallery, Nottingham
- Open '95 - Derby Museum & Art Gallery
1994
- Art & Education - Beaumanor Hall, Leicestershire
- Contemporary Art - Castle Museum, Nottingham
- Open'94 - City Gallery, Leicester
1990/91
- Modern British & Gallery Artists - Christopher Hull Gallery, London
1985
- D.H.Lawrence Centenary, The Country of My Heart - Leicester Museum Art Gallery,
- Nottingham Playhouse Theatre, touring exhibition
1984
- Recent Work, Loseby Gallery, Leicester
- Open '84 - Mappin Art Gallery, Sheffield
- Recent Graduates (short listed), Serpentine Gallery, London
1983
- Castle Museum, Nottingham
- Midland Institute, Birmingham
References
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Martin_%28artist%29
- ↑ http://www.eai.org/artistBio.htm?id=7607
- ↑ http://www.tonymartin.us/statement/statement.html
- ↑ http://www.eai.org/artistBio.htm?id=7607
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Martin_%28artist%29
- ↑ http://www.tonymartinart.com/about.html
- ↑ http://www.tonymartinart.com/
- ↑ http://www.tonymartinart.com/about.html
- ↑ http://www.tonymartinart.com/about.html
- ↑ http://www.tonymartinart.com/exhibitions.html
Author
Kathy Li, 2014