“My composition captures a sunset unfolding from a poolside location, with a landscape of sea and islands beyond. The viewer is alone in the setting that, just hours ago, was filled with laughter and play in the heat of the day. The place is everywhere and nowhere—a hybrid location collaged from my memories and desires. There is a poignant sense of solitude that washes over you—a quiet companionship with the fading light and the memories it evokes.
Following a two-point perspective, the composition is guided by the architecture of the pool and the patio. This allows the viewer’s eye to dynamically move both left and right, and around the foreground of the work. At the top of the painting, the recessional pink parasols lead the gaze to the shimmering tones of the sea and land in the distance. The lounger cushions are foiled in 24 karat gold, reflecting the rich colours of the sunset beyond. I have also added elements to the pool so that it sparkles and gloss varnish to the sea, bringing texture and depth to the surface of the print.
In the final moments of a sunset, the speed at which the sun evolves becomes palpable. A subtle urgency begins to permeate the air. The gentle transition of colours that once meandered languidly quickens its pace, with the once-steady progression of hues accelerating its transformation. In this composition, I have aimed to capture the zenith of all its attributes. This is a poignant moment that is universally experienced and remembered by us all on our own travels. This sunset is your sunset. This is your home, and you can place your memories within it.
With ‘Hot Hot Summer’, I wanted to reminisce and capture the anticipation of gathering around the table, sharing stories and jokes, and indulging in the rich flavours of foreign cuisines and the scent of holiday spices. In this way, the viewer can fill the painting with their own longing and gratitude for memories and loved ones.”
Will Martyr, on his work ‘Hot Hot Summer’ (2024)
