Martin Vallis is a professionnal photographer. His style evolved, resulting in tightly- cropped, close-up work, mostly utilising Tungsten lighting, to enhance texture and detail. Two decades later Martin departed from commercial photography, concentrating on his own vision.
Throughout his career, Martin’s style has changed, yet there remains the ever-constant preference for simplicity of solitary objects, reflecting texture and shape: less is more. Society may spend time looking for the ‘Big Picture’ whilst missing the ‘Beauty of Simplicity’. He feels it portrays a deeply felt sense of isolation, solitude and emptiness. The artist is eager to conclude he now understands those feelings are more to do with his condition over reality.
Martin Vallis has studied Visual Communication at Medway College of Art and Design from 1976-79, moving to London in 1980. After working as a Photographic Assistant to Commercial Photographer Gary Bryan for 3 years, he set up his own studio in Chelsea in 1983, that specialised in high-quality still life photography, in the areas of Advertising, Design and Editorial. Martin also shot stills on TV and Cinema commercials, primarily with directors Howard Guard and Ridley Scott (Alien/Blade Runner/Gladiator). Some of Martin’s clients included, British Airways, BMW, Volkswagen and Selfridges.
Presented by Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
(Art gallery, United States)
Feel like I've been working on this book for decades but in fact just most of 2024. It's far exceeded my expectations.
Above is the front cover.
It's a personal narrative about the intersection of mental health and creativity.
The book follows the familiar format in that it has a, Forward, Bio, About my process, how the Title came about and Dedications to those who have helped me on my journey so far.
The book is divided into sections, ArtCity, Street, Others, Ego, Alienation, Neglect and Clouds. Each section starts with a quote, verse of a poem or song lyric and section title. Each section has six images.
The Book ends with probably the best poem I've read to date and for me says a lot about my own experiences.
Below the back cover.
The Book is a square format 20x20cm, has 112 pages and priced at £20 + pp and at present is only available directly from me but am exploring other potentials and will update if I find other outlets.
Very happy that my image ‘Other Self’ has been included in this Exhibition.
https://www.thehouseofsmalls.art/theportraitwithin
