artist martin king

Martin King's life as an artist and print-maker has seen him travel the world. While born and raised in Melbourne, Martin has also been based in France, Spain and London. He's also worked across wide cross-sections of Australia, as well as teaching in varied locations such as Darwin and Canberra. Currently he is exhibiting at the King Street Gallery in Sydney, until October 15.

Which five words best describe you? Patient, persistent, solemn, Taurean, passionate.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I discovered printmaking in art school and I realised I could carve out a life making art. My work has taken me to some amazing places in the world: from the Kimberley in Australia to South Georgia Island in the Sub Antarctic. I have met and worked with many artists and remarkable people along the journey so far.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To follow my intuition and to also learn from all the mistakes I’ve made... actually I’m still learning lots of lessons.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Being respected by my peers, friends and family for what I do.

What’s been your best decision? Deciding to follow my desire to make art for a living.

Who inspires you? People who are nice and kind and gentle and are just having a go inspire me. People who are living their dream in their own mind inspire me. Musicians and artists inspire me to do what I do now.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about the intelligence of animals. I am also passionate about people who make small changes striving for a better world.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I would love to meet Marcel Duchamp for a game of chess and afterward hang out with Neil Young and play a few songs with him.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? To create a bush retreat so I can wake up to nature everyday.

What are you reading? Nothing. I have finished looking at Prints, Books and Things by the artist Kiki Smith and I am about to begin the novel Life and Fate by Vasily Grossman.

images courtesy of martin king and king street gallery