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Marc Martin is one of our all-time favourite Melbourne artists, and this morning we are so thrilled to announce his second show with TDF Collect, Walk These Streets! The celebrated illustrator is best known for his best selling books and watercolour paintings, often documenting the natural world in charming detail.
Walk These Streets inhabits the same universe that Marc invited us into in his last TDF Collect exhibition, Follow. The latest series of 14 watercolour artworks have been inspired by Marc’s travels in Tawain, depicting deserted urban streets, laneways and cityscapes that have been reclaimed by nature and animals. These laneways, streets and apartment blocks harbour flickers of human life, observing the new rhythms of a once-frenetic place gone quiet.
This is Marc’s second TDF Collect show, and if the first one was anything to go by (it sold out in a matter of hours!), I suggest getting in quick to secure one of these brilliant original artworks!
We chatted to Marc to hear more about this body of work, and how he’s approached this year.
Hey Marc! It’s been a while since we caught up. How have you been going in recent times?
Yes it’s been a couple of years since my last show. I’ve been busy raising a little human with my partner, and generally just adapting to the chaos that is having a toddler running around a small apartment, all while trying to work from home! In summary, it’s been wonderful but exhausting!
Can you tell us a little about the works in ‘Walk These Streets’ – what and where has inspired them?
These paintings were initially inspired by my travels to Taiwan, and the architecture, landscape and flora and fauna of that environment. I’m particularly interested in our relationship with the built environment and nature, and how nature works to slowly reclaim these places over time.
These paintings imagine a world where nature takes over the urban landscape, where stray animals are free to roam, and empty streets invite the viewer to wander within.
What other creative references do you draw on?
I used to gain a lot of creative inspiration from travel, but obviously with Covid-19 that’s not a possibility. However, I’ve actually been spending a lot of time on Google street view, virtually exploring places I’ve always been interested in painting – which has been a surprising source of inspiration. It’s amazing how many little alleyways and interesting cityscapes are to be found via street view!
How has this period of lockdown we’ve just been through changed your creative practice, or just your life outlook in general?
Mostly it’s been a time to reflect and slow down. I know a lot of people have been feeling like they should be more productive during this time, but for me it’s been the opposite. If you ever needed a good reason to give yourself a break, I think a global pandemic probably qualifies!
I’m really not into the hustle/busyness culture we often get trapped in, so I’m just hoping this period of time allows us all to reset, slow down and shift our thinking to what’s important in life :)
For all artwork sales and enquiries please contact art@thedesignfiles.net and we’ll get back to you ASAP. View all artworks and prices here.
Walk These Streets by Marc Martin
Saturday November 28th – Thursday December 3rd
Public Opening Hours:
Saturday 10am-1pm
Sunday 11am-3pm
Monday Closed
Tuesday – Thursday 10am-4pm
TDF Collect
14 Little Oxford Street
Collingwood, Victoria
