Artist Martin Battye at Original Projects
Original Projects, overseen by curators and cultural producers Kaavous Clayton and Julia Devonshire, opened their latest exhibition by Martin Battye on November 22nd. Martin has had a long career as a respected abstract painter, as well as an industrial designer, producing large-scale abstract paintings, that have attracted a loyal audience to his work over the decades. I remember coming across his work for the first time in one of the prestigious John Moores exhibitions in the early 80s at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. His ability to work at scale using an all embracing sense of colour was mesmeric. Martin's use of colour is still prismatic, the paint sprayed or filtered in layers creating depth of field, as if the elements have atomised and the paint has taken on properties of molecular light.
Installation at Original Projects 2024
The work on display in Original Projects well-proportioned gallery takes up about one third of PrimeYarc's extensive main showroom floor. The paintings have been displayed in a single line on three walls, and in a strict grid on the fourth wall. Each perfectly composed painting has been made on a standard-sized commercial beer mat. Together they make an impressive installation.
Beer mats are produced by breweries to promote their product as well as mop up content spills and puddles of condensation that accumulate on the sides of a pint glass. In their raw state they are an interesting combination of point of sale promotion and advertising, as well as practical, mass produced blotter that keeps the bar and table tops dry enough for punters to enjoy a drink.
Martin Battye began painting on beer mats more than five years ago. Beer drinkers collect beer mats because they can be beautifully designed, or present a particular product the collector has bought into. It is a relatively common activity, but Martin has taken this everyday object - transforming it with paint and abstract pattern into an object of precious beauty that celebrates that moment of indulgence that a drink in a familiar and friendly pub affords. The resulting paintings are like gem stones, cut square, circular or hexagonal, perfectly regular. Sometimes the printed message on each beer mat is partially visible, on others totally obscured under thick vibrant layers of colour. Some have been masked by a mesh that creates a three dimensional pattern.
The paper material beer mats are made from is a purposefully soft and porous card. This absorbent quality as a ground for paint seems to muddle the limits, assisting the abstractions that Martin makes by providing a soft blur, as well as an image or pattern for inspiration, interference or potential for incorporation, as many of the paintings have allowed some of the original print to show through.
In a gesture of generosity and desire to enable and support continued creative activities, particularly for those who might not usually have to opportunity to experience them, Martin has requested that all proceeds from any sales go to support Herring House (who support homeless people recovering from addictions) in working with Original Projects to present an exhibition at PrimeYarc in March 2025.
This act of encouragement and consideration for others is a continuation of some of Martin’s work activities. Since studying Fine Art in Sunderland, he worked as an industrial designer. His company specialised in innovating adaptable orthopaedic furniture for the disabled and elderly, As an artist he has spent many years providing musical education and experimental opportunities for people with disabilities, and has worked in prisons running art workshops.
Beer Mat Paintings runs from November 22 to December 22 2024 at Original Projects in the PrimeYarc space in the Market Gates Shopping Centre, Great Yarmouth.
About the author
Paul Barratt
Paul Barratt started working in contemporary art galleries in 1989, having graduated in Fine Art from Goldmsith’s, London University. He initially worked at Anthony d’Offay Gallery, one of the contemporary art dealers, who dominated the London art market in the 80s and 90s. He was approached by the Lisson Gallery to be gallery manager for the influential art dealer Nicholas Logsdail. This was followed by a short period in New York at Gladstone Gallery, to work for visionary art dealer Barbara Gladstone, working with the artist and filmmaker Matthew Barney.
On his return to London, Paul secured a place on the postgraduate curatorial course at the Royal College of Art, to complete an MA. After graduation in 2001, he worked as an independent curator on several projects in Oslo, London, Brighton and Basel, before joining Paul Vater at his design agency Sugarfree in 2004. He has worked with Paul ever since.