Principle Gallery Charleston will next month host a special exhibition of new works from new painting collection by contemporary realist artist Nicolas Martin, in his first U.S. solo exhibition. This show will be on exhibit from November 4th through November 30th, 2022.
For Martin, the new works of over 25 paintings depict a variety of interior scenes, alleyways, architectural scenes, and still life paintings. He says he is inspired by everything around him. He is like a sponge. He is fascinated by light, and it is generally the light that guides his choice of subjects. He doesn’t always have models for his scenes, so he is using the light as a figure by painting the banality and the intimacy of a scene embellished by light. He paints intimacy by placing the light as a revealing element.
“I love the way the light affects, transforms, and embellishes everything she touches,” Martin said. “Light is a woman that I paint with delicacy. I paint scenes where the viewer can feel he can be part of it. I often paint chairs, sofas, and stairs. All these elements are symbolic of action, of usefulness. These elements are very often placed in a certain way to invite people to sit down or to step into the scene. The fewer elements I put in my scenes, the more the observer will be able to imagine. I like to paint subjects that people feel they already know, with which they can identify. My paintings refer to nostalgia and memories. I want them to understand what they see and give them the opportunity to deepen the story. I don’t want to own the only truth about my paintings, and I want everyone to find their own stories. Sharing is the most fundamental aspect in art in my opinion and this is why the main reason my paintings are invitations.”
About Nicolas Martin
Nicolas Martin ( b.1980) is a French artist from Paris, now living and working in Montreal, Canada. After completing his studies at the respected Auguste Renoir school in Paris, Nicolas decide to deepen his artistic knowledge and diversify his skills by completing the Graphic Design program at the University of Laval in Quebec, Canada.
In 2003 he won 1st Prize in the “La Fondation de la Vocation” scholarship in Paris. Throughout his career, Martin has worked as a designer for the famous Galeries Lafayette in Paris and as Art Director for various companies in Europe and North America.
He started his career as a professional painter in 2013 with a highly successful Solo show at the L'Oeil du Prince Gallery in Paris, followed by a second equally successful Solo exhibition there the following year. In 2015 he made his US debut in “Urban Life” at Abend Gallery in Denver and was a finalist at the respected ARC Salon. He was also named an “Artist to Watch” by Southwest Art Magazine and featured in the book “Tall Trees of Paris”. Nicolas's work has also recently been included in the “Realism Without Borders” International group and exhibitions as well featured in the Jetset Collection exhibition at Vanessa Rothe Fine Art in California.
His third Solo exhibition entitled “Cinemascope” at the L'Oeil du Prince Gallery in Paris in 2016 was highly acclaimed and proved to be another successful achievement for his career. Nicolas is proud to be exhibiting among top artists, his work is now widely collected in both Europe and North America. His primary goal as a painter… constant evolution.
About Principle Gallery Charleston
Principle Gallery Charleston finds joy in sharing museum-quality works from established American and international artists within the realm of Contemporary and Classical Realism. The gallery invites you into its light-filled space for monthly shows featuring fresh, exciting work from many multi-faceted and diverse artists, along with national invitational shows, and curated events.
