Murwillumbah artist Martin Munz, whose work has been shown around the world, has his exhibition opening, Art Imitates Life, today at MIST Gallery, Cabarita.
Before moving to the Northern Rivers 17 years ago Martin was a photographer and video artist and director of the Tin Sheds Art Workshops University of Sydney, and the Experimental Art Foundation, Adelaide and he also worked at the Australia Council in Sydney. He originally studied art at Prahran College, Melbourne and then in Hong Kong and New York.
When he moved to the region Martin then completed painting studies at the Northern Rivers TAFE, Murwillumbah. He says he sees his art as a combination of the interaction of humanity and its environment.
‘As I walk and drive around Murwillumbah’s beautiful environment, I ask how can the social processes that are at play in it be pictured. I intend my paintings to evoke “dwelling”, a quality of being there resulting from the folding together of human history, land, and sky.’
‘I want my paintings to work through pictures of the regional built environment to evoke issues beyond locality. By including street signage, light poles, and motor vehicles in my paintings I hope viewers might reflect on the historical and physical processes that shape our environment, and where they are going,’ he said.
Martin’s work is held in public and private collections in Australia and internationally, including the Australian National Gallery, Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, Charles Darwin University, NT and the Port Phillip Collection, Victoria.
Matin’s exhibition will run until January 19 at MIST Gallery, 1B/51 Tweed Coast Rd, Cabarita Beach.
