Martha Winter

Martha Winter - Frosted Void Ring

Martha Winter - Graded Pebbles

Martha Winters - Blue easterly Circle

1966                 Born in London

1999 -01            Norwich School of Art and Design, Norfolk  MA  Fine Art

1985-88             Falmouth School of Art, Cornwall BA Hons Fine Art

STATEMENT

My artistic practice has been profoundly influenced by exposure to two vastly different environments.  Firstly, growing up with minimal art and modern architecture, which gave me the visual language of reduced and economical form and a fascination with systems, repetition and order. Secondly, the regular witnessing of the raw power of the Norfolk coastline. This presented chaos giving me an awareness of natural laws and an interest in physical matter. Through my work I seek to reach a combination of these ingredients, aiming for a point of tension and harmony where a frisson occurs.

Whilst the sources of my work remain constant the means of realisation has gone through several changes. I began drawing onto flattened soil in the studio as a way of exploring geometry (which literally means measure of the earth). Due to the ephemeral nature of this work, regular photographs were made. I began working in the landscape, making larger marks with a spade and creating varying patterns and textures by seeding areas. The resulting photographs, some taken from an aeroplane played with a sense of scale, making connections with micro and macro worlds, that whilst appearing abstract had clearly existed.

Recognising a desire to directly present the materials, whose substance could only be alluded to via the camera, I began to experiment with techniques to make the work permanent. I realised that by presenting the actual materials away from their environment, I was able to communicate more generally about aspects of order, complexity and the physical nature of matter.

Whilst working alongside scientists during a residency, I became aware of the overlap between some scientific procedures and my own creative process. Although the intentions differ there is a meticulousness involved in the systematic method of collating, categorising and observing permutations that are common to both. By working with permutations of an idea, I was able to present multiples with minute variation, concentrating on subtle differences in pattern while also alluding to the passing of time. 

During a trip to the Galapagos I saw the results of extreme geological phenomena captured in the lava; this black rock was patterned with the evidence of change from a liquid to a solid state. Following this I became interested with patterns in the formation of matter, from the slow accumulation of cocoliths to form chalk to the swift build up of sand to create dunes. 

Through my work I continue to explore my obsession with geometry. Through the use of actual materials I can reference landscape and by reducing compositional elements to the minimum and can explore natural pattern. I am interested in using repetition to emphasise the organic ordering of parts to create heavily textured surfaces.  I aim to create pieces that provoke contemplation on the similarity and complexity of mathematical patterns in our  universe.                                             

Martha Winter 2007

Martha Winter regularly contributes to group exhibitions including shows in London, Bath and East Anglia. She has been selected for several 'Open' exhibitions including Kettle's Yard and Artsway. She gained a 'Year of the Artist' award from the Arts Council and has received commissions from her local Council and Arts Organisations. Her work has been shown at Art Fairs in London and New York. Much of her time is spent developing new work for solo shows whilst also working on commissions for private and corporate clients.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS AND ART FAIRS

2008                  Solo Exhibition, Byard Art, Cambridge

                        Guest Artist, ERBI Conference, Wellcome Trust, Cambridge

                        Art Fairs: Art London, AAF (New York, Amsterdam and London), London Art Fair, Edinburgh Art Fair.

                        Gallery Artist: Sheridan Russell Gallery (London) and Byard Art Cambridge).

2007                 Organic, Group Show, Sarah Wiseman Gallery

                        Recollect, Corman Arts, London

                        Group Show, Queen Street Gallery, Hampshire

            Art Fairs:  Art London, AAF (New York and London), Form (London), London Art Fair.

            Gallery Artist:  Beverley Knowles Fine Art (London), Sheridan Russell Gallery (London), Plateaux Gallery   (London), Byard Art     (Cambridge).

2005/06            Art Fairs:  Art London, AAF (New York and London), Art Ireland, London Art Fair, Brighton Art Fair.

Gallery Artist:  Beverley Knowles Fine Art (London), Sesame Art (London), Sheridan Russell Gallery (London), Plateaux Gallery (London), Byard Art (Cambridge).

2005                 Solo Show, Byard Art, Cambridge.

2004                 Art Fairs:  AAF (New York and London), London Art Fair, Brighton Art Fair.

                        Open exhibition, The Discerning Eye, The Mall Galleries, London.

                        Open exhibition, Crossing the Line, Salthouse Church, Norfolk.

2003                 Solo show, Earthscape, Gallery 96, Cambridge.

2002                 Open exhibition, Land, Artsway, Hampshire.

                        Open exhibition, Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge.

                        National Science Week, Earth Zone, University of Cambridge.

2000                 Two person show, Plant, Alchemy Gallery, London.

1999                 Solo Show, Line and Variety, Gallery 96, Cambridge.

SELECTED COMMISSIONS

2007                 East II triptych commissioned by Schroders Investment Management, London

                        Warm Void Ring II commissioned for Accenture UK Ltd, London.

2006                 Abacus Grid, pebble wall piece commissioned for Bank Head Office London.

                        Matter Series, six wall pieces commissioned by Salens, London.

                        Circle Series, six wall pieces commissioned by Hogan and Hartson, London.

2005                 Foreshore, triptych commissioned by Quintain Estates, London.

                        Pebble slide, wall piece commissioned by Johnson and Johnson, London.

                        Abacus, triptych commissioned by Deloitte and Touche, Cambridge.

2004                 Sculpting Summer Residency, sculpture using "floating pebbles" and tidal

flow, Norfolk Broads, commissioned by South Norfolk Council.

                        Autumn Grid, wall piece commissioned by Cambridge Antibody Technology.

                        Ebb and Flow, triptych, commissioned by Tui Ltd Chamonix, France.

2003                 Sand Shadow 1, wall piece commissioned by Landro Ltd Suffolk.

                        Marl Form, five wall pieces commissioned by Evertsheds,Cambridge.

2002                 East Matter, four wall pieces commissioned by Virgin, London.

                        East 2, wall piece commissioned by Eye Scan. Sussex.

2001                 Orbit, wall piece commissioned by Phusis, Cambridge.

                        Latent, wall piece commissioned by Baird Sussex.

2000                 Allotment Residency, funded by The Arts Council, Year of the Artist scheme.

1999                 Chalky Void, submerged land sculpture, commissioned by Cass Wedd and Lord Melchett for Courtyard         Farm, Ringstead, Norfolk.

COLLECTIONS

University of Cambridge Chemistry Dept. Shroders Investment Management, Accenture UK Ltd.Salens, Virgin, Landro Ltd ,Ellis-Miller Architects, Eversheds, Eye Scan, Phusis, Cambridge Antibody, Tui Ltd,  Deliotte and Touche, Johnson and Johnson.

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