050650 - A Life in the Arts

050650 - A Life in the Arts, a retrospective and biographical exhibition by Robert Martin, curator of R-Space gallery. Robert Martin has an extensive career in the creative sector spanning roles from artist, educator, curator to director.

‘It started with an inspirational teacher, he played The Supremes and Jazz, the first album I bought was by Thelonious Monk. I then became a Mod and started dancing to The Spencer Davis Group and The Small Faces. I started art school and became a hippy listening to bands such as The Velvet Underground, The Mothers of Invention, we put on a concert With Kevin Ayers and the Whole World and Michael Chapman.

 I studied Ceramics and Glass at Leicester Polytechnic where we saw Roxy Music, David Bowie, the Tubes and Showaddywaddy. Then I taught in Art School, got back into soul music and started The Boulevard Club playing Jazz Funk.  

 Then invited to Japan to set up a glass blowing furnace in Kumamoto with Toshinobu Takamitsu. Came back from Japan and set up my own glass studio, ran that for ten years and started teaching again. That led on to working at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery and a Maximum Security Prison in Lancashire. Which led me on to working for the Arts Council of England in the south east. I met up with some musicians and we set up the Naked Sunday Collective recording an ep at the famous Jacob’s Studios in Surrey. I left the arts council in 2010 and set up R-Space with Anthea McWilliams in 2011.’

About The Artist

Starting his professional artistic career in 1975 as a glass maker, his path has taken him through many roles in different countries, creating a worldwide network of contacts.  Starting with an inspirational Supremes and Jazz playing teacher, Robert bought his first album by Thelonious Monk and became a Mod. Attending art school, he became a hippie before teaching in Art College, getting back to soul and starting The Boulevard Club playing Jazz Funk.

He was invited to Japan to set up a glass blowing furnace in Kumamoto with Toshinobu Takamitsu and on returning, set up his own glass studio, running that for ten years and teaching again. That led on to working at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery and a Maximum-Security Prison in Lancashire, followed by working for the Arts Council of England in the southeast. He left the arts council in 2010 and set up R-Space with Anthea McWilliams in 2011.

This exhibition is an opportunity to focus on his artistic practice and creative writing. Robert’s contemporary applied art practice underpins his interest in materials and the messages and meanings conveyed through artwork. His work has crossed disciplines, involving a wide range of media resulting in 2D and 3D work.