Will Martyr

Will Martyr was born in Eastbourne, United Kingdom, in 1980. At 18, he moved to London to study at the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art, where he became fascinated by colour, influenced by Ellsworth Kelly, Josef Albers and Richard Diebenkorn. To this day, he describes himself as a colourist. His ability was recognised early, gaining him two patrons who supported him with a stipend, allowing him to focus fully on his vocation.

After studying at the Slade, he moved to New York, where the city’s vibrant art scene and architectue inspired his early paintings of urban landscapes. Martyr returned to London in 2005, completing a Master’s degree at the Royal College of Art in 2007. He continues to live and work in London.

From his circular tondo canvases to the hard-edged quality of his style, his work reflects the influence of Modernism, Pop Art and Futurism. Juxtaposing urban and natural settings, his paintings capture idyllic, nostalgic moments through vibrant colour and harmonious composition.