Johannesburg based artist, Sue Martin, has been honing her painting and printmaking skills since the 1980s when she completed a BA Fine Arts degree at the University of Natal in
Pietermaritzburg (now University of KwaZulu-Natal). Martin boldly engages and
experiments with a variety of techniques and media to produce her compelling, as well as,
deeply personal artworks. Her skilful manipulation of composition and typography adds
texture to her work, while simultaneously paying homage to her previous career in
advertising. Martin sees her artistic practice as a journey, through which she explores aspects of her lived experience and her personal identity, against a wider historical backdrop. In the intervening twenty years since Martin’s first solo exhibition in 1999, she has
participated in numerous group exhibitions and Art Fairs across South Africa. In addition,
Martin has produced several successful solo exhibitions that have established her as
prominent feature in the South African art market. In 2010, the Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC) recognised Martin’s work and acquired the series Urban Cowboys (2009)
for its permanent collection. Moreover, earlier this year, the Johannesburg Chamber of
Commerce (JCCI) added a selection of paintings and prints, from Martin’s series The
Cartographer’s Notes (2020), to its permanent collection. Martin has also been invited by
Mark Attwood to participate in the prestigious residency at The Artists’ Press in September
2023. Working from her Johannesburg-based studio, Martin continues to exhibit her work
extensively with various galleries such as Knysna Fine Art, Origin Art, Artist Proof Studio,
Intoto and The White River Gallery. Most recently her work was selected for exhibition at
Glen Carlou Wine Estate, Grande Provence, Franschoek and Steyn City Gallery opening
exhibition. Later this year Martin’s work will be featured by Origin Art at the Turbine Art
Fair.
