Abstract Painter Martin Bush. Contemporary Abstracts by Plymouth Based Artist.

Biography and Exhibition Information

 

Exhibitions:

2011

Fringe Exhibition to British Art Show 7 Sept - Dec

Murray VW Show Rooms Solo Exhibition Sept - Oct. Millbay Road Plymouth.

Spring Summer Exhibition June - July 2011 in my gallery Martin Bush Gallery Brewhouse, Royal William Yard,

Gallery in The Square Usk, Wales.

The Mortgage Shop Mutley Plain, Plymouth

Gallery Guest House, North Road East, Plymouth

Tamar Science Park, Plymouth

Millfields, Plymouth Showing in board room area

2010

High Elm Manor with Brizatti Fine Art 31st Oct

Browns Hotel Tavistock, Devon

22 Mill Street Restaurant Chagford, Dartmoor, Devon.

Kaya Gallery Totnes, Devon

61 Walcott Street Gallery Bath

2009

Bistro One, December to March 2010

Kaya Gallery, Totnes December

Summer Exhibition in my gallery August

Bistro One, May-June Jazz Series

Spring Exhibition in my gallery April

Kaya Gallery, Barbican, Plymouth May-June Jazz Series

One Toe in the Water Gallery Foye Cornwall

2008

Tamar Science Park, August - September, Plymouth

Bistro One, May - September Ebrington Street, Plymouth.

Bond Pearce Feb-March Gallery Space, Ballard House, West Hoe, Plymouth.

Bistro One, Feb - April Ebrington Street, Plymouth.

2007

July Solo Exhibition in the Royal William Yard Plymouth

April Ickenox exhibition, Dray Walk, Brick Lane, London.

Bistro One, Feb Ebrington Street, Plymouth.

2006

June- Organized and exhibited in Plymouths Art Fair in the Royal William Yard

Steps Gallery, Christmas Steps, Bristol.

2005

h.Art Hereford art week, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire 10th - 18th Sept 2005 click for details

2003-2004

M.art.IN Gallery, Tintern, Monmouthshire.

Commission for large scale canvases Bridewell Place, Fleet Street London.

Ross on Wye international Festival. Art show with Blue Tube Gallery.

White Space Gallery, 49 Bridge Street, Usk.

Forest of Dean Heritage Museum.

2003

Engaging Arts Manchester.

Verdi's Cafe, Mumbles, Wales.

Karen Taylor Contemporary art gallery Twickenham.

Iona House Gallery, Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

Commission for 80 mtr Mural Cardiff, CLICK TO SEE

2002

Fresh Art Fair London.

White Space USK.

Brewhouse Mural, Oxford, UK. click to see

 

 

 

 

My Journey into Abstract

Martin Bush is increasingly being acknowledged as one of the regions leading contemporary abstract artists. As Resident Artist, Martin has just moved into a new Gallery and studio at Plymouth’s Royal William Yard, his fourth space there within the last five years.
Having been a successful commercial artist, how did Martin develop into the world of fine art? In 1997 he sold his business, took some time out and travelled. This was the break he was looking for. Beginning with charcoal then oil, Martin began to experiment with marks; the strokes were quite free and vibrant yet bring together a very powerful and alluring imagery. His emotional journey into art had started. As Martin says:
The part of me that gives this drive to create has been my life of travel and exploration into different cultures. There are many journeys that make up who I am; my main interest has been the juxtaposition of Thailand and the Thai culture with California and it’s vibrant art scene.
Watching Martin work, you quickly become aware that, as he liberally applies his background colour, he became lost in a world beyond canvas and paint. Martin paints with the canvas flat; scrapers push colour around, mixing pigments as part of the process. More paint adds depth to marks that will bring texture. Boldness and subtlety, balance and harmony begin to appear. The canvas is flipped and viewed from different angles; some areas are reworked adding further depth. As the process comes to an end, highlights may be brought in through small interventions or the dribbling of yet more paint. No matter what the painting looks like, it is impossible at this stage to tell whether it has worked. The drying process changes the nature of the art. Paints fuse, shrink and crack; some colours become dull as a result of the mixing they have undergone. Over a course of days and weeks the work will be examined, retouched, added to and sometimes almost totally reworked.
For Martin, it is only the contemporary abstract style that enables him to truly express himself and add strength to his work. He describes the process he goes through as ‘painting with the sub-conscious mind’. As he increasingly trusts this connection he finds that his work becomes freer. He is able to keep the expression in his work fresh and flowing, delivering results full of energy, colour and intrigue.
Martin Bush knows he is a man in a privileged position. Having his own studio and gallery in the stunning Royal William Yard is something that many artists would aspire to. Why does painting and showing in the same space matter to him?
Having my own gallery in Plymouth has given me a close connection with lots of people. As I talk to visitors I am pleased by the depth of their understanding of what they see and the positive comments I hear. Although, as a contemporary abstract artist my work comes from within; it is important for me to have feedback, as this helps to give me the sense that the painting is right and stands up as part of what I am offering in my creative journey.
The works on show in Martin’s first exhibition in his new gallery come from series painted over the last eighteen months. They are infused with the changing seasons; hot and blue skies to cold and darker times. The painting reflect the impact these changes have on his energies, mood and palette with the marks he makes seeming to absorb these elements.

BIOGRAPHY

History

1983-86 Birmingham Polytechnic. Art and design BA (Hon's) degree.

1986-2000 Mural and commercial art for many large and independent brewery chains, restaurant groups and corporate customers incorporating murals, chalkboard art as well as graphic work for various breweries and licensees.

1997 Traveled to the Far East, Thailand to discover and develop my abstract painting

From 1997 to the present day I have continued developing and working on my abstract painting and finding influences and direction for my painting.

More Information. Studying in Design and observing our modern world my work aspires towards contemporary imagery and my inspiration is driven by my journey through out my life visiting such places as Thailand to California where I breath in the culture and aspire to these worlds. My palette is often vibrant with energy driven marks and explores personality within. With a free flow marks allowing the paint to develope in a natural and unhindered way new things can happen and the discovery and journey takes each painting to it's own conclusion.

Publications

Plymouth Magazine Oct 2011

Devon Life Magazine September addition on line 2010

Art of England Magazine (Click to read) August addition 2010

Exeter Living Magazine November- December 2007

Art in Devon Magazine Summer addition and Winter 07

tel: UK +44 07703 231150 E

Mail art@martinbush.co.uk

www.martinbush.co.uk