Martin Heron
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"I force myself to contradict myself, so as to avoid conforming to my own taste"
Marcel Duchamp
Experimentation, drawing and making form the backbone of my practice.
I am simply concerned with making 2 & 3 dimensional work where each piece makes its own journey from the carefully considered through combative or repetitive actions and chance occurrences in order to reach some sort of conclusion.
My public art work is location-led and site specific with a focus on engaging with people as well as historical and geographical contexts.
Exhibitions (in brief)
20021/22 The London Group at the Küefer Martis Huus, Liechtenstein 2021 & BOOKARTBOOKSHOP, London 2022.
2021
In Plain Sight: The London Group, Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton.
Cardboaders: Invited Group exhibition of artists using carboard at DungenessStudios, Dungeness, UK.
2018
'Drawing Distinctions' The Furlong Gallery, University of Wisconsin, USA
The London Group at St Ives, Penwith Gallery, St Ives, Cornwall.
'Beyond Image' The Cello Factory, Waterloo, London.
'Nothing Endures But Change' St Jame's Church, Waterloo, London. (Waterloo Festival)
'Down From London' The London Group @ Linden Hall Studio, Deal, Kent.
2017
The London Group 83rd Open, The Cello Factory, Waterloo, London. (Co-Curated exhibition)
Shoreham Sculpture Trail, Shoreham, Kent
2016
Line Gallery Pattern Month, exhibitions (Spot & Stripe and Zig & Zag) Line Gallery, Stroud, UK
'The deaf canvas listens..' The London Group at Kensington College, curated by Gill Ingham
'How Soon is Now' Review of Contemporary Abstraction, Nottingham Society of Artists Gallery. Curated by Laine Tomkinson.
2015 "The London Group Open" The Cello Factory, Cornwall Rd, London. One of three artists awarded The Presidents Prize with a joint show in 2016.
2015 "WAC 2015" Wells Art Contemporary, Wells, Somerset.
2014 “The Nutcracker” Group show Belmacz, Mayfair, London.
2006 “Intersections” collaboration with Nigel Russell and Jean McEwan for Yorkshire Crafts Space, University of Bradford.
2005 “Michael” collaboration with artist Nigel Russell at Keighley Arts Factory.
2003 “Serendipity” collaboration with artist Nigel Russell at Leeds University.
2000 "Outside The Box", Group show Dean Clough, Halifax, West Yorks.
2000 "Communication" Group show, Keighley Arts Factory.
1995 “Under One Roof” The Art House at Dean Clough Galleries, Halifax.
1994 135th Annual Open Exhibition, Manchester Academy of Fine Art.
1989 “4th International Exhibition of Miniature Art” Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Del Bello Galleries, Toronto, Canada.
Commissions and Projects:
2019/2021:
Prescot Outer Gateways: Public Art Project commissioned by Knowsley Borough Council to produce artwork for four landmark artworks for gateway locations around Prescot. Four Welcome’ signs were also commissioned and produced along with interpretation for display boards and outdoor digital screens.
2018/19:
Collaborative illustration and writing project with writer Lucy Banwell for two Storyspinner books with young people from Armagh and Portadown as part of the Dunlewey Addiction Services Da-Facts Project and Southern Health & Social Care Trust ASD/CMHS Connect.
Adanac Park Public Art Project: commissioned by Test Valley Council with support from Ordanance Survey and funded by Lidl UK.
2017/18:
Kings Reach Buried Treasure: commissioned by Happen Public Art consultants to design and produce artworks for 8 sites throughout the new development of Kings Reach, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.
2017:
Alpina Way Public Art Project: commissioned by Rotherham Open Arts Renaissance (ROAR) & Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to produce a sculptural barrier for a public pathway through Aplina Way, Swallownest.
2016:
Marking Ramslade: Public Art Project: commissioned by Taylor Wimpey & Bracknell Forest Council to produce a centre-piece sculpture for Ramslade Commemorative Garden.
2014/15:
Monksmoor Park Artworks: commissioned by Crest Nicholson to produce a feature artwork, seating and signpost for this new development in Davenrty, Northamptonshire.
2014:
Spen Bottoms Public Art Project: commissioned by Kirkees Council to create a trail for works leading to Mann Dam, Cleackheaton, West Yorkshire.
Pill Gates, Newport: commission to develop a proposal for a public space in Pill, Newport, Wales.
2013:
Ella Street Public Art Project: residency and commission to engage with the community of Ella Street, Kingston-Upon-Hull.
2012:
Leighton Linslade Childrens’ Trail: residency and commission to make numerous works for Leighton Buzzard town centre inspired by childrens’ literature.
Wester Inch Public Art Project: residency and commission to engage with the new community of Wester Inch, Bathgate, Edinburgh, Scotland.
2011:
Scattered Oak: commissioned by Taylor Wimpey and Bracknell Forest Council for The Parks, a new development on the edge of Bracknell.
2009/2010:
Anlaby Road, Hull: commissioned by Arc - the architecture centre for Hull & the Humber region to work with design teams for the integration of artworks within the built environment.
Wolverton Park: commissioned by Milton Keynes Council & Places for People to devise artworks for the Wolverton Park development.
Spirit of the Quay: Commissioned by DATRYS to desifn ang produce a focal point sculpture for Deeside Shopping Precinct, Connah's Quay, Deeside.
For the Love of Emer: commissioned by Armagh City & District Council to design and produce a sculptural piece for Scotch Street, Armagh.
Harvest: commissioned to create a major sculpture for Rotherham as part of the Gateways Project.
2008:
Spirit of Hedge & Hound: commissioned by Belfast City Council as part of the Brighter Belfast ‘Gateways’ project for Falls Park, Belfast.
Where Dreams Go: commissioned by Strabane District Council to produce a large bronze work for the newly built Strabane Arts Centre & Library, Strabane, Co.Tyrone, N.Ireland.
Viewpoints: part of the ‘Orange Jelley’ project in collaboration with OrangeDot, Jelson Ltd, Charnwood Borough Council and Arts & Business.
2006 & previous:
Hallam Fields: member of public art team with specific brief to work with developers, architects and planners to design a major iconic landmark feature.
Handstanding: commissioned by Ipswich Borough Council to produce a centrepiece sculpture & a series of small intervention works for the new Ravenswood housing development. Project partners Bellway Homes.
If you get lost: commissioned by Lisburn City Council to produce a focal point sculpture celebrating the theme of ‘identity’.
‘Ascent Terrifique’: Commissioned by Hull City Council, Albany St Residents Association & Lincoln University School of Architecture.
Afloat: stainless steel sculpture for Westport Lake Greenway, Stoke-on-Tent. Commissioned by Groundwork Stoke-on-Trent and Stoke City Council.
Chariot: stainless steel sculpture for new Asda development, Thurmaston, Leicester.
Literary Landscape: Penistone Hill Country Park Haworth West Yorkshire supported by Bradford Council Countryside Services, Yorkshire Arts and Yorkshire Forward.