My Story
Raised on a ‘sink’ estate I dismiss the idea that we are doomed to fight an uneven struggle between opportunity and possibility. My work is a celebration of community and optimism in the face of inequality: We decide whom we become.
About Martin
Martin Kinnear (b. 1969), is a self taught oil painter from the council estates of Northern England with awards from the Paris Salon and collectors at the highest level of UK society.
His work spans many subjects but is rooted in just one, an autobiographical view of the world as he sees it.
In 2004 Martin suffered a catastrophic brain injury which left him disabled and changed the nature of his work and his thinking; emphasising the experiential and possible over superficial observational painting.
Recognised as 'a true artist' by Catherine Severac (president for peinture; Societie Nationale des Beaux Arts) on the presentation of his Medaille d' Argent at the 2018 Paris Salon, and as 'the natural successor to Norman Cornish' following his artistic residence by the curators of The Bowes, Martin's work has won him increasing critical acclaim.
At the start of 2020, a work from Martin's recent paintings of the North was accepted by The Prime Minister Boris Johnson and taken into the Govt. Art collection to hang in Downing St. to provide a visual reminder of the North West at the heart of government.
Exhibitions & Awards
2022
Martin Kinnear, Regeneration, Solo Show, The Bowes Museum, County Durham
Martin Kinnear. Works from Regeneration, Solo Show ,Tennants Gallery, North Yorkshire
2021
Martin Kinnear, Landscapes of The North, Solo Show, Tennants Gallery, North Yorkshire
2020
Martin Kinnear, 'Backstreet Burnley', Govt. Art Collection for Downing St
Martin Kinnear, Lefty's North, Solo Show, Tennants Gallery, North Yorkshire
Artist in Residence, Norman Cornish Retrospective, The Bowes Museum.
2019
Martin Kinnear, Societie Nationale des Beaux Arts Salon, Paris.
The Holt Festival, Auden Gallery, Holt.
2018
Martin Kinnear, Beyond Here, Solo Show, Tennants Gallery, North Yorkshire
Martin Kinnear, Societie Nationale des Beaux Arts Salon, Paris.
Awarded Medaille d' Argent for Peinture.
2017
Iona Gallery, Woodstock, Oxon.
2016
Martin Kinnear, The Painted Garden, Solo Show, New British Art Gallery, Norfolk
2012
RBA
Discerning Eye
ROI
2009
The Holt Festival, Auden Gallery, Holt
2003
Eastern Open (runner up), Peterborough
AAF Battersea
Young Masters, Balham, London