James Martin

Chesterfield, United Kingdom

About the Artist:
James Martin was born in Lyndhurst, Hampshire and is married with 5 children. He trained as a psychiatric nurse and worked within child, adolescent and family therapy services in the NHS for 20 years. James studied art and design at Chesterfield followed by an B.A. (Hon's) in fine art at Sheffield Hallam, has exhibited in a variety of settings and has some permanent work in public areas.

"I believe art is a process of negotiating relational space. I am a complex social being and an individual that functions on many levels and many roles, I consider art to be the same. My art deliberately varies in medium, form and subject matter and ranges from directly personal and intimate to social statement and reactive expression."

"I am a parent governor at Wigley School, near Wadshelf, Derbyshire. In this capacity I am named Governor for Health and Safety, Child Protection and Anti Bullying. I also have a link role in the school's workforce remodelling and sit in the 'first committee'. My main interests include art and drama. "

James has performed in local mystery plays and in various roles at the Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield. He is a keen walker, lover of Russian culture and, most importantly, a father to his 5 children.

Artist's Statement:
The image is an expression of loneliness as a child – of being with people yet also apart from them – on the sand but within a separate place.