Julian Martin

Untitled 2019-22

Introduction

Julian Martin is an artist who lives and works in Naarm, Melbourne. Martin explores ideas around deconstruction, representation and interpretation using geometric shapes and bold colours to create minimal, abstract forms.

For his work in The National 2023, presented at Campbelltown Arts Centre, Martin exhibits a body of colourful soft pastel works. When creating his work, the artist begins with a photo reference or an arranged still life, then narrows down the elements of the image or scene to create an abstract reinterpretation, responding to what he sees.

Inquiry questions

  • Spend some time looking at Julian Martin’s work. Do the artist’s works remind you of anything you have seen before?
  • What ideas, interests or feelings may the artist be communicating about their world? What visual qualities have they used in this expression?
  • How has the artist considered structural qualities (such as shape, colour and space) in the composition of their subject matter? 

Creative learning activity

You will need

  • Drawing paper
  • Materials to create blocks of colour (eg: pastels, coloured markers, pencils or coloured paper) 

Process

  1. Look at different types of shapes found in everyday objects, particularly items that incorporate multiple shapes (eg: ice cream cone, a fruit bowl). Look at the colours within those objects, thinking about how they make you feel or what that colour reminds you of (eg: yellow = sunshine, happiness).
  2. Sit in a circle, with sketching materials in the middle. Play a round of musical chairs - when the music stops, draw someone directly across from you. You only have 20 seconds to draw your portrait,  so focus on capturing simple shapes of the person’s face. Take note of distinguishing features of this person’s face such as earrings, glasses, braces and length of hair. Choose colours that reflect that person’s personality.
  3. Play several rounds so you have a collection of drawings. Choose your favourite one to recreate on a larger scale.
  4. Refer to Julian Martin’s style of drawings in creating a larger, mixed media portrait. Your portrait should have minimal details, large shapes and include blocks of colour.
  5. Display in the classroom and play a game of ‘Guess Who’.

Extension

  • Play another version of ‘Guess Who’ but with celebrities or people in your family. Also try ‘Guess What’ by drawing objects from around the room.
  • Create a still life where objects are simplified in their representation, made up predominately of shapes and colours without detail.

  • Explore different compositions of collage shapes by rearranging the placement on the paper and documenting different positioning with photos. Demonstrate the importance of positive and negative space. 

Reflection

  • Reflect on the portrait you have made. How do these colours make you feel? How do they show the subject’s personality?
  • What did you find challenging when creating your portrait/s?
  • How many portraits of your peers could you identify? What features of the artworks made you able to connect the subject with their portrait?
  • When you modify the positioning of the shapes, how does this change your perception of the objects?