ARTEL is a group of professional artists who collaborate to exhibit their work whilst establishing a dynamic community. Working in the South Downs area, each artist has developed a unique and informed practice. The artwork from this covers a rich and diverse range of subjects and media shared through an annual show in Chichester at the Oxmarket Contemporary gallery. The next show is 13-25 October 2026.
ARTEL is a group of professional artists who collaborate to exhibit their work whilst establishing a dynamic community. Working in the South Downs area, each artist has developed a unique and informed practice. The artwork from this covers a rich and diverse range of subjects and media shared through an annual show in Chichester at the Oxmarket Contemporary gallery. The next show is 13-25 October 2026.
Oxmarket Contemporary Gallery
New work was created within the context of the artists ongoing practice that also considered this theme. Research resulted in final pieces that were provocative, playful, and profound, in drawing, sculpture, and painting.THE SPACE BETWEEN - 2025
Martin V. Smith
Acrylic on board
416mm x 513mm
Title “Study for Niche”
In the effort to provide unique works that do not directly reference others or collective culture the necessity to present visual form cannot be ignored unless the outcome is to be invisible. Ideally any visual elements employed would be universal and generalised. These Paintings are recent outcomes of the exploration exclusively of the capacity of the visual elements of colour and geometry to support works which remain firmly within the tradition of Painting yet provide unique visual experiences and proposals of what Paintings might look like.In the processes of development most time is devoted to preparatory studies, made to find and eliminate by intuition what is felt to be counter-productive or inappropriate. Execution of the work demands precise colour mixing and the elimination of distraction from that primary sensation, so texture is subdued.
Martin V Smith has been a Chichester resident since 2013. He studied at Chelsea school Of Art from 1967-1971
Website: martinvsmithpainter.com