Art from the heart that makes you smile
The art of Martin Edge is colourful and inspiring and gives plenty of reasons to be cheerful, as a retrospective of his work at Pine Rivers Art Gallery shows
The first time I saw Martin Edge’s art I smiled. He has that effect on you. The naiveite and the joie de vivre of his art is infectious.
I challenge anyone not to be cheered up by his work.
You can step into his colourful and inclusive world from December 16 at Pine Rivers Art Gallery, Strathpine.
All the best, from Martin Edge is a playful, sensory show that encourages everyone to experience the world through the eyes of a local who is also a proud ambassador for Autism Queensland. It features 22 paintings and is a retrospective of Edge’s work during his 15 years as an award-winning artist.
Curator Hannah Williamson says “the curatorial focus is capturing significant moments in Martin’s life through the sub-themes of Everyday, Monumental and Whimsical”.
“It is a retrospective exhibition with Martin’s iconic flair,” Williamson says. “I met with Martin in late December 2022 and we discussed his practice. What we came to realise is that most of his work is autobiographical. He likes to share his achievements, from career moments to personal milestones. This has provided the framework for the exhibition.
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“The exhibition also features two new commissions. The first is Celebration, a painting that depicts Martin celebrating his 38th birthday in his kitchen with cake. The other is The Fashion Parade. One of Martin’s goals is to launch a fashion line using designs from his paintings. This painting depicts the catwalk show on the night the fashion line is launched.”
City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery says supporting local artists and increasing accessibility in Moreton Bay is a priority.
“We’re on a mission to make Moreton Bay a more accessible city, and we are thrilled to be working with, and supporting, local artists like Martin Edge to help make this happen,” Mayor Flannery says.
“With 2023 named as the Year of Accessible Tourism, it’s the perfect time for us to open the doors to this unique exhibition. Our exhibitions team has been working with external consultants from occupational therapists to people with lived experience to develop this exhibition and associated programming, with a particular focus on supporting neuro-divergent visitors.
“This ensures the gallery is a welcoming space for all. In addition to the playful paintings by Martin and a large-scale wall that comes to life through augmented reality, the exhibition will have a quiet room, a fun, free and interactive activity space and a line-up of great events including painting classes with Martin, himself, over the summer period.”
Martin Edge is a celebrated painter who has been working as a professional artist for the past 15 years. Exhibiting consistently since 2008, Martin has earned national and international recognition.
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He says his exhibition is not just for art lovers.
“It’s for the whole family and everybody is welcome,” he insists. “My exhibition is about the wondrous world according to me, Martin. It’s a celebration of my art, looking back at my journey as an artist and my everyday life and adventures in the Moreton Bay region.
“It’s my first large-scale exhibition – from the very first painting that I ever completed which won the Moreton Bay Region Art Prize back in 2008, which is quite special, through to more recent paintings. Some of these are coming from all around Australia and I haven’t seen them since I painted them.
“There’s also a lot of fun, playful and interactive parts to the exhibition including augmented reality, a children’s workshop space and lots of sensory elements. Plus, there will be heaps of events throughout the exhibition that everyone can enjoy.
“I want everyone to feel a sense of fun and joy when they come. I think there will be a few happy tears when I see it in the gallery for the first time. And when people turn up and it brings a smile to someone’s face, then I know I’ve done my job.
“People often ask me why I started painting and I guess I didn’t really go looking to become an artist, the art found me. I like bright colours and the world around me and when I paint it makes me happy and brings a sense of joy. If I’m having a bad day, when I start painting, I start to feel well and happy again.”
The exhibition has been produced by City of Moreton Bay Galleries in collaboration with artist Martin Edge and Pia Robinson, local founder of The Culture Crusader and changemaker in accessible cultural tourism and experiences.
All the best, from Martin Edge, Pine Rivers Art Gallery, Strathpine, December 16 to March 16
moretonbay.qld.gov.au