Martin Clarke

MARTIN CLARKE – ARTIST STATEMENT

Martin first picked up a brush in June, 2001 with the express purpose of “splashing some colour on a board” to fill up a blank space on a wall, with no idea of the latent talent just waiting for the chance to express itself. A career in science had fostered an inquiring mind and early efforts and experimentation lead to a fascination with the visual medium, which developed into a passion to learn about and develop skills in painting.

Self taught, the pursuit of art knowledge and diligent practice to hone and apply that knowledge, has enabled Martin to develop a distinctive style of representational realism in a relatively short period.

The proximity of and a close affinity with the ocean has prompted seascapes to become a favoured subject in Martin’s work, but he has delved into landscapes, still life and portraiture in his exploration of techniques, mediums and methods.

Initially working with acrylics, Martin now paints exclusively with oils, delighting in the longer open time and the blending possibilities.

While Martin’s inspiration is often the sea or water, his constant challenge is to capture the light as it plays across any scene, interacting with forms and colours. He finds it an absorbing, exhilarating, sometimes frustrating and always stimulating challenge, resulting in vibrant, exciting works which are true to their source.

Martin’s work can now be found in collections in WA, Victoria, the USA and England.

Martin is a member of Art-source and Arts Culture Peel, and is a moderator on the Wet Canvas and Art & Artistry art forums.

2007
 Group exhibition, “Christmas Shop”, Bunbury Regional Art Galleries
 Group exhibition, “The Sum of Us, Artopia
 Exhibited in the Mandurah Mandjar Awards
 Exhibited in the West Australian Art Awards, Perth Royal Show
 Exhibited in the City of Melville Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Town of Victoria Park Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Town of Vincent Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Margaret River Rotary Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Pinjarra Rotary Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Vasse Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Australia/Britain Society “Art Idol” Awards

2006
 Group exhibition, Exeter Gallery, Fairbridge
 Exhibited in the Mandurah Mandjar Awards
 Exhibited in the Bank West Art Awards, Perth Royal Show
 Exhibited in the City of Melville Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Town of Victoria Park Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Town of Vincent Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Margaret River Rotary Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Pinjarra Rotary Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Vasse Art Awards
2005
 Exhibited in the Mandurah Mandjar Awards
 Exhibited in the Bank West Art Awards, Perth Royal Show
 Exhibited in the City of Melville Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Town of Victoria Park Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Town of Vincent Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Margaret River Rotary Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Pinjarra Rotary Art Awards
 Exhibited in the Harvey Rotary Art Awards