New Series - In a Dark Corner

In a Dark Corner – New Paintings by Martin Kane

This show will consist of a series of small canvasses and assemblages which draw on musty memories of childhood; of collecting and storing shells and butterflies, useful old rulers and bits of string, starfish, sand dollars, marbles and safety matches, and eggs blown clean. Surprisingly nostalgic recollections of these ‘precious’ things still lingers and brings back to me the oily smell of an dark old shed, where some of these things may still be secreted.

In their own way these paintings are also ‘Cabinets of Curiosity’ – the Wunderkammer of the 17^th Century. Here a collector’s notion of Art was demonstrated in the assembly of man-made objects presented in the same glass case as diverse natural specimens of Science, and imbued, by association, with the lofty ideals of Intellect and Spirituality.

The main function of the cabinet was to provoke a sense of curiosity in the viewer.  In many ways the cabinet represented a world-view that valued the 'wonder' in an artefact much more than the need to analyse and classify. There was not yet a universal system of scientific classification and each collection sported its own unique organisational structure.

Sculpture Component – ‘ Shelf ’

The proto-types for the 'SHELF SERIES' will also have the narrative element accompanied by a 'vase' where a cutting or flower can be added. I will soon to cut holes in the shelf, so that some of the objects can be sunk into the shelf...to create an 'above' and below' effect.

‘Collecting’ Oil on Canvas  40 x 40cm

‘Under Size’ Oil on Canvas  40 x 40cm

‘Stuck’ Oil on Canvas  40 x 40cm

‘Small Scape’ Oil on Canvas  40 x 40cm

‘Sea Egg With Spoon’ Oil on Canvas  40 x 40cm

‘Growing Arms’ Oil on Canvas  30 x 30cm

‘Rule of Thumb’ Oil on Canvas  30 x 30cm

' Chiton Undressed’ Oil on Canvas  30 x 30cm

‘Growing in the Dark’ Oil on Canvas  30 x 30cm