About Viv Martin
I was born in Brighton and lived very close to the sea for much of my childhood – spending much of my time drawing and painting on the beach, still one of my greatest pleasures. In 1959 my family emigrated to Australia, travelling by sea over six weeks and stopping at exotic and exciting places along the way. Although we returned within a year, I’ve always felt that this was a wonderful experience that contributed to my interests as an artist. I’m grateful to my art teacher from Varndean school, Maggie Corbin, who offered me opportunities to paint theatre sets for the school and for local theatre groups and who encouraged me to go to art college.

I studied painting, sculpture and printmaking at Bath Academy of Art, Corsham, between 1966 and 1971, completing a Diploma in Art and Design and a scholarship for an additional year there. Tutors who particularly helped and influenced me included Adrian Heath and William Tillyer. I then studied at Goldsmiths College in London, where I won a national travel scholarship in 1970/71 to visit Egypt and also made my first visits to Greece and to Paris. I gained an Art Teachers Certificate (with distinction) in 1972. Travel has continued to be important in my work and I respond to being in different types of land and seascapes and particularly to being in strong sunlight when the light at home is very muted.

I gradually developed a balance between work in education and more personal work as an artist, teaching art in schools and then for many years in adult education. I married Paul Martin and owned and managed a gallery in Brighton for several years. My work in education expanded to include creative approaches to management and professional development, completing a PhD in 1998. I have worked in the NHS, the Open University, the University of Chichester and currently in the University of Brighton. I have also published six books and a range of articles. I paint in watercolour, oils, and acrylics and make etchings, dry-points and relief prints.

Exhibitions