Ceri speaks with artist Martyn Cross, who shares his journey from a small-town upbringing to international gallery representation. Martyn talks about his artistic evolution, the importance of community, and how navigating the art world offers invaluable lessons for creatives at all stages. His unique approach to time, colour, and artistic integrity will no doubt inspire you to embrace your creative path with renewed passion and authenticity.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Martyn's work often explores the concept of time, attempting to condense long periods into his paintings through his use of colour and technique.
• He creates paintings that have an otherworldly, timeless quality, intentionally making them difficult to place in a specific era. Martyn's process involves starting with intuitive drawings that he then translates into paintings.
• Martyn's work is influenced by his small-town upbringing, which he initially wanted to escape but now draws inspiration from.
• Build genuine relationships in the art community. It's crucial for mutual support, dialogue, and inspiration in your career.
• Be honest and transparent when working with galleries. It fosters trust and leads to long-term success in our partnerships.
• Maintain a consistent studio practice, even during difficult times. It's essential for your artistic growth and career development.
• Use social media as a powerful tool to connect with galleries and collectors, but always remember to be authentic in your interactions.
• When moving from self-representation to gallery representation, take your time and consider your options carefully. Patience is key.
• Martyn's approach involves embracing chaos and taking risks in his artistic process, allowing for surprises and more discovery.

BEST MOMENTS

"I suppose in my work, I'm trying to discover something about contemporary life in a way, by making something that is not real and it is fake."

"If you can pose questions that don't have any answers, then it allows the viewer as a human to question themselves and question their own existence."

"I think colour for me is…it's a battle with time and that sounds bizarre, but it's about time. That sounds so stupid to say that, but I'm basically putting down colour to condense time."

"Embrace the chaos. What a wonderful way to end our conversation."

EPISODE RESOURCES

Artist links: 

https://halesgallery.com/artists/165-martyn-cross/overview/

https://marianneboeskygallery.com/artists/454-martyn-cross/biography/ 

@martyncross @halesgallery @marianneboeskygallery 

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

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