Jewel Temple

About

Martin has held the position of Artist-in-Residence at the Royal William Yard in Plymouth for over twelve years, having had a successful career as a commercial artist, and creates vibrant abstract oil paintings.  He lists Gerhardt Richter, Jackson Pollock, and Howard Hodgkin among the artists whose work inspires him.

As a commercial artist, Martin Bush produced murals and interior décor projects for restaurants, pubs, and hotels in and around Oxford.  A year living in Thailand in the late 1990s led to a shift in focus and Martin discovered his passion for painting abstract works in oils and acrylics, stating that he found the courage to leap into the artistic unknown whilst rediscovering himself.  Having adopted Thailand as his second home, Martin goes back to Thailand every year to ‘recharge’ his artistic batteries.

‘After my many trips to my second home I always love the serenity and spiritual moments I enjoy when visiting Temples in Thailand.

My way of painting comes from within and as I have painted over the years I always liken my work to those joyous emotions I get when living life in this amazing culture.

My latest work is a celebration of these visits especially to the magnificent Temples (known as Wots in Thai). Using gold leaf with a brightened palette of paint I sense the environment where people are calm and humbled by the surroundings within a Temple.

Its stops you, takes away fears, pain, sadness and gives you a sense all around are with happiness, peace and tranquillity.

I will be following this trail as I paint for a while......’

Jewel Temple will run from Friday 1st until Saturday 23rd September, with an Artist Preview from 6-8PM on Friday 1st September.