Martin Harrison
I am Martin Harrison. I live in SE London. I describe myself as a sculptor, visual artist and an occasional performing artist/musician in experimental art events. Creating art is a compulsion for me.
Without art I could not thrive. Essentially I create art for myself.
When I am constructing an object I usually find that it takes on a life of its own.
Before I commence I experiment with all aspects ie. material, form and size.
My work is influenced by William Blake, John Cage, Wassily Kandinsky, Henry Moore, Carl Jung and Buddhist thought. My favourite classical sculptor is Gian Lorenzo Bernini and favourite classical composer is
Henry Purcell.
I work by making formers out of paper or other materials. This enables me to make several versions of the same thing. Then I either methodically layer paper over the former, which can then be painted, or I put pulped paper over it which can result in a rougher surface. If I want a smooth surface I use polyfilla.
My work is very time consuming.
Martin was born in Hexham in 1945. He was a chorister at King’s School Ely which fuelled a lifelong interest in music. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree at University of Hull Art Faculty and won a scholarship to travel and study Byzantine Art in Greece and Italy. He returned to London and while maintaining his commitment to art went on to become a teacher of Design and Technology having trained at Goldsmiths, University of London.
As well as being a sculptor and fine artist he has always had a particular interest in experimental music and art - collaborating on performances with fellow artists and musicians. For example he has worked at: Serpentine Gallery, Morley College, Cockpit Theatre, London Collective, with musicians such as Michael Chant and David Ryon with whom he also played in Edges Ensemble on his own constructed instruments performing widely including in Denmark for Danish Radio.
Recently he has exhibited for London New Wind Festival (2021) and Momoposo (2021) amongst other improvisation events as well as for APT Gallery Deptford, and with APT colleagues in Somerset. He has also had an shared art exhibition in Germany. In 2019 he shared an exhibition with fellow artist Livia Garcia ‘A Visual Symphony’ at hARTslane Gallery.
