Jenny Martin

Jenny studied at the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh College of Art and graduated with an MA (Hons) Fine Art in 1996.  She continued her studies there and was awarded her MFA Postgraduate (Painting) in 1998

She has exhibited her work in exhibitions in Scotland and London over the years and her prizes, in addition to her recent success in the Aspect Prize include:

The Fenton Arts Trust Award – Originals  2005
The Russell Trust Award – Visual Art Scotland 2005
Outstanding Print Award University of Aberystwyth – National Print Exhibition 2003
Frank Herring Award – Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour 2002
John Kinross Scholarship - Awarded by the Royal Scottish Academy 1997
DM Hall Painting Prize 1997
Andrew Grant Bequest Award for Printmaking - Edinburgh College of Art 1996
Andrew Grant Bequest Award for Drawing - Edinburgh College of Art 1994

Her publications include:
Fully Illustrated Catalogue Ewan Mundy Fine Art 2004
Crucial Colour The Artist Magazine December 2004
Artist Masterclass The Artist Magazine September 2003

Her thoughts are

“Illusion and reality, memory and fact are associations fundamental to my painting and printmaking.  Artefacts: painting; sculpture; jewellery; liturgical objects inspire me and acquire new significance and context in my work through their position and juxtaposition.  I choose the objects and images initially because I respond instinctively to their colour and aesthetic qualities.  However, I am also concerned with their meaning; past significance or use, or a kind of universal significance. 

The images are carefully chosen, but once in my paintings, they become mine.  These images are changed and manipulated; objects moved from one location to another, colour and atmosphere altered.  I aim to retain the meaning of the original and add my own voice through these changes.  I am not concerned that the viewer should necessarily understand the significance of how I am thinking when I make the work; I am happiest when they simply respond instinctively, just as I did when I first started”.