MARTIN WEBB

The way I work is to take an image that has some resonance for me and start working with the image to both explore what that resonance might actually be, and to attempt to amplify it. One of the major themes of the images is people's relationship to the natural world, and 2020 has brought a new consciousness and focus to such thoughts.

This collision between the feelings of closeness to nature and the fear of our dysfunctional relationship to it, has only been heightened by the collosal wildfires here on the West Coast, the impact of which has been experienced so viscerally by all who live here. The combined effect of the virus and the climate crisis leaves me feeling that we are at a tipping point - I am fearful that we have ruined our relationship with nature to the point that we may forever be the recipients of it's payback. However, the optimist in me hopes that perhaps we needed these crises to wake us up to how dependent we are on that relationship, and consequently how our only viable future is one with reverence, respect, and humility toward the natural world.

Martin Webb was born in England and is currently based in Oakland, CA. Primarily a painter, Martin works with mixed materials including repurposed wood, concrete, found metal, paper and pigments to create prints, sculptural objects, murals, public and commissioned art. His public art projects include a twelve hundred feet long mural in Hayward, CA; a colorful wall of reclaimed wood at MacArthur Station in Oakland, CA; and an interactive installation at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, CA. Webb also has work in the permanent art collection at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and several civic collections.