martin decent peak district artist

portrait of martin decent

Originally known for landscapes, in the past few years his subject matter has broadened to seascapes and contemporary abstracts. Within this however one subject has remained consistent: his interest in the effects of colour; consequently his pallet has remained an individual trademark of his work. He is a contributor to the Royal Society of Marine Artists at the Mall Gallery, London and recently held a large retrospective exhibition at the Buxton Art Gallery, supported by the Business Arts Fund. In July 2008 he won the A1 North of England Open Art Competition and in November 2008 the National Open Art Competition.

About his Work: "I am concerned with colour, composition and texture within my paintings. Often reflecting my interest in the "beauty" of randomness within nature. The paintings are intended to acknowledge something far wider in dimension and far more likely to have changed over time. They are often a reference to the Momento Mori of life: a theme in painting that has underlined Western Art for centuries. Sometimes the paintings are not intended to be realistic but are interpretations of subjects or ideas. People often ask what “style” is my painting? Post Impressionism is probably the best “label” I would like to attach to my work but with a tendency to use very thick paint!"

Click the images below to see a selection of photographs of Martin in his studio at Yorkshire Artspace.
paintspaintingpalettepots

Galleries Include:

  • Affordable Art Fair Battersea, London.
  • Gallery Top Rowsley, Nr. Bakewell, Derbyshire.
  • Leeds Art Fair, The Corn Exchange, Leeds.
  • The Art House, Portland Street, Manchester.
  • Montpellier Gallery, Stratford-upon-Avon.
  • St.John’s Gallery, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
  • Thompson Gallery, Aldeburgh, Suffolk.
  • Walker Gallery, Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

 

Publications

Martin Decent is published worldwide by Solomon & Whitehead Fine Art as one of their catalogued artists and has featured in a 12 page profile within the art magazine: International Artist. Articles have also been printed in Country Life, Artist & Illustrator and The Practical Painter.

He was commissioned to write a book fully explaining gouache painting and has recently been commissioned to produce a section within “The Practical Encyclopaedia of Acrylics, Oils & Gouache”.

Galleries: Mixed Shows 1996 - 2010

  • 1997 Montpellier Gallery Cheltenham
  • 1998-02 Walker Gallery Harrogate
  • 2000-03 Royal Society of Marine Artists London
  • 2000-01 Dublin c/o Manchester’s Art House
  • 2000-06 Simmonite Fine Art Sheffield
  • 2000-10 The Affordable Art Fair London
  • 2000-04 Manchester’s Art House Manchester
  • 2002 Leeds Art Fair The Corn Exchange Leeds
  • 2002-05 The Ashbourne Gallery Ashbourne
  • 2002-10 Gallery Top Rowsley Derbyshire
  • 2003 Thompson’s Gallery Aldeburgh
  • 2003-10 Greenhouse Gallery Sheffield
  • 2004-05 Tregoning Gallery Derby
  • 2006 The Hunter Gallery Suffolk
  • 2008 Millenium Gallery Sheffield
  • 2008 A1 Open Richmond (Winner)
  • 2008 National Art Open London (Winner)
  • 2008 The Station Gallery Richmond
  • 2009 National Art Open Chichester
  • 2009-10 See marked above to 2010

 

In Corporate Collections:

  • Bradford & Northern Housing Association
  • Cheltenham & Gloucester plc
  • Church of England
  • Grant Thornton Accountants
  • Henry Boot Construction plc
  • Home Farm Trust Charity
  • Leicester University
  • Lloyds TSB Bank
  • Nabbaro Nathanson Solicitors
  • National Health Service
  • National Probation Service
  • New York Harvest Charity
  • Royal Bank of Scotland
  • Tinsley Wire plc

Galleries: Solo Shows 1996 - 2010

  • 1996 Crucible Theatre Sheffield 20 paintings
  • 1996 The Bakewell Gallery 20 paintings
  • 1997 Simmonite Fine Art Sheffield 30 paintings
  • 1997 Crucible Theatre Sheffield 20 paintings
  • 1998 NHS Sheffield 40 paintings (Sponsored)
  • 1999 Simmonite Fine Art Sheffield 20 paintings
  • 1999 Buxton Art Gallery 40 paintings (Sponsored)
  • 2000 Leeds Town Hall 30 paintings (Sponsored)
  • 2001 Broomhill Festival Sheffield 30 paintings
  • 2001 The Ashbourne Gallery 30 paintings
  • 2002 Renishaw Hall Eckington 20 paintings
  • 2002 Greenhouse Studio Sheffield 20 paintings
  • 2003 Yorkshire Artspace 30 paintings (Sponsored)
  • 2003 Broomhill Festival Sheffield 20 paintings
  • 2004 Greenhouse Studio Sheffield 30 paintings
  • 2004 Gallery Top Rowsley 20 paintings
  • 2005 Greenhouse Studio Sheffield 30 paintings
  • 2006 Yorkshire Artspace 30 paintings (Sponsored)
  • 2007 Greenhouse Studio Sheffield 20 paintings
  • 2007 Gallery Top Rowsley 20 paintings
  • 2008 Greenhouse Studio Sheffield 20 paintings
  • 2008 Broomhill Festival Sheffield 20 paintings
  • 2009 Greenhouse Studio Sheffield 15 paintings
  • 2009 Gallery Top Rowsley 20 paintings