martin herbert - synthesis : p1

martin herbertsynthesis

“Really different”(Exhibition Attendee)

martin herbert - synthesis : p2

“Amazing!!! Extremely talented and clever! Thoughts and theories well combined, very

well composed. Simply love it!”(Exhibition Attendee)

Introducing “Synthesis” by Mid Wales artist Martin Herbert.

An exhibition of large-scale drawings framed and ready to hang, suitable for public and commercial galleries. The drawings are the result of project “Synthesis”, an exploration of the possibilities of fus-ing new digital / online media and traditional drawing techniques. An additional video installation is available if it can be accommodated.

This project was supported by a small projects grant from the Arts Council of Wales.

The artist:

Martin Herbert is a rare thing in the UK art world - an ‘emerging artist’ who, rather than being a recent graduate, is someone who chose to migrate from a career in industry and launch on a new path in mid-life. He works in both traditional and digital media. His IT industry background fuels techniques including 3D modelling, lighting simulation and computer music. At the same time his exploration of ‘old master’ oil painting and drawing techniques helps complete a multi-faceted practise. Recent work explores the possibilities afforded by combining digital modelling with the drawing techniques of the Renaissance.

In 2011 he was shortlisted for the British Airways “Great Britons” art prize, by a panel including Royal Academy curator Eliza Bonham-Carter and artist Tracey Emin.

“Synthesis” premiered at the Radnorshire Museum and Art Gallery in 2012 and recently showed in a solo exhibition at MOMA Wales in Machynlleth.

martin herbert - synthesis : p3

“The most creative work I think I have ever seen. The borrowings from nature

are quite fascinating”(Exhibition Attendee)

Martin’s work has also been seen in group shows at: Stadshusets galleri, Hangö, Fin-land / The Mall Galleries, London, England / The Williamsburg Institute, Brooklyn, New York, USA / HR Giger Museum & Gallery, St. Germaine Castle, Gruyeres, Switzerland / Vezzano Gallery, Trentino, Italy / Lofhouse Gallerie, Rosshaupten, Germany / Lauder-dale House, Hampstead, London, England, among others.

Project “Synthesis”:

The project resulted from experimentation into ways in which modern digital media could create source material for ‘real’ drawings in traditional media - taking advantage of new technology, but putting back into the process the manual skills which are often seen as missing from much contemporary art. The project has two threads:

Using the ‘perpetual archiving’ properties of the world-wide-web. A multitude of out-of-copy-right texts, including many classics of literature, are now freely available to download from internet archive sites like the ‘Gutenberg Project’. This is a rich source of inspiration for diverse new projects. The text selected was the Irish fantasy classic “The Crock of Gold” by James Ste-phens, and some of the works included in the exhibition are inspired by the book. This is a work in progress leading to a new edition which will be uploaded to the internet as an e-book, thus completing the cycle.

Secondly, a lifelong fascination with the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci inspired the use of 3D computer modelling software to create new ‘machines’. Influ-enced by the work of 1930s scientific illustrator Ernst Haeckel, similar techniques have been used in the invention of biological forms resembling microscopic sea-creatures. These new contructs, both mechanical and organic, are incorporated into drawings repre-senting the investigations of Renaissance man into a speculative world which never was.

martin herbert - synthesis : p4

“Stunning organic

studies, intricate work”

All the drawings, although rooted in modern digital technology, are made using the most traditional of media - sepia ink and red chalk pencil on 100% recycled cotton rag handmade paper tinted with hand-ground egg-tempera.

Exhibition details:

The exhibition consists of over a dozen large draw-ings in frames handmade by the artist, and option-ally can be accompanied by an 8 minute video presentation which uses some of the digital 3D imagery which inspired the original project. It has an algorithmic electronic music soundtrack cre-ated by the artist.

The video can be previewed athttp://youtu.be/2jIFhP6g1mY

Contact:

Martin Herbert14 Shortbridge Street, Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6AD, UK

email: info@martinherbert.com

t: +44 (0)1686 413 036 m: +44 (0)7810 370 753

website: martinherbert.comblog: artedstates.blogspot.co.uksocial media: facebook.com/martinherbertuk twitter.com/martinherbertuk linkedin.com/profile/view?id=44035343

The “Synthesis” project...

... is an opportunity to mount an engaging and entertaining exhibition by an artist with a rapidly growing track record, which will give your visitors food for thought and discussion.