Martin Vallis
To see we must forget the names of the things we're looking at.- Claude Monet
Martin Vallis is a professionnal photographer. His style evolved, resulting in tightly- cropped, close-up work, mostly utilising Tungsten lighting, to enhance texture and detail. Two decades later Martin departed from commercial photography, concentrating on his own vision.
Throughout his career, Martin’s style has changed, yet there remains the ever-constant preference for simplicity of solitary objects, reflecting texture and shape: less is more. Society may spend time looking for the ‘Big Picture’ whilst missing the ‘Beauty of Simplicity’. He feels it portrays a deeply felt sense of isolation, solitude and emptiness. The artist is eager to conclude he now understands those feelings are more to do with his condition over reality.
Martin Vallis has studied Visual Communication at Medway College of Art and Design from 1976-79, moving to London in 1980. After working as a Photographic Assistant to Commercial Photographer Gary Bryan for 3 years, he set up his own studio in Chelsea in 1983, that specialised in high-quality still life photography, in the areas of Advertising, Design and Editorial. Martin also shot stills on TV and Cinema commercials, primarily with directors Howard Guard and Ridley Scott (Alien/Blade Runner/Gladiator). Some of Martin’s clients included, British Airways, BMW, Volkswagen and Selfridges.
Discover contemporary artworks by Martin Vallis, browse recent artworks and buy online. Categories: contemporary british artists. Artistic domains: Photography. Account type: Artist , member since 2018 (Country of origin United Kingdom). Buy Martin Vallis's latest works on ArtMajeur: Discover great art by contemporary artist Martin Vallis. Browse artworks, buy original art or high end prints.
Artist Value, Biography, Artist's studio:
Clouds • 12 artworks
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The beauty of clouds.
Water • 1 artwork
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Variations of water
Others • 20 artworks
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Are my darkness and many ‘Others’ I am clearly aware of the idea of ‘Physical and Sexual Abuse’ but [...]
Are my darkness and many ‘Others’
I am clearly aware of the idea of ‘Physical and Sexual Abuse’ but I had never heard of the potential of ‘Emotional Abuse’ until I received my diagnosis.
It does now make complete sense and while I won’t go into the nitty gritty of my childhood experience, he says all the clues are there.
I am clearly aware of the idea of ‘Physical and Sexual Abuse’ but I had never heard of the potential of ‘Emotional Abuse’ until I received my diagnosis.
It does now make complete sense and while I won’t go into the nitty gritty of my childhood experience, he says all the clues are there.
Ego • 17 artworks
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I see Cars as an extension of our Ego. Traditionally a male domain, often jokingly expressed as a 'Penis [...]
I see Cars as an extension of our Ego.
Traditionally a male domain, often jokingly expressed as a 'Penis Extension' but now, more and more women are expressing themselves with their car of choice. I wonder if the female joke might be 'Boob Enhancement;)?'
They’re also about fantasy, escapism and status, a reflection of our and society’s desire and obsession with materialism and possessions.
Having said that, the car has long been of interest-especially those of the classic American and European types from the middle 20th Century. Indeed, I've owned a few. They appeal to my love of design and style.
I'm generally not interested in capturing the car in its entirety, I prefer to concentrate on details within, along with colour and shape.
Traditionally a male domain, often jokingly expressed as a 'Penis Extension' but now, more and more women are expressing themselves with their car of choice. I wonder if the female joke might be 'Boob Enhancement;)?'
They’re also about fantasy, escapism and status, a reflection of our and society’s desire and obsession with materialism and possessions.
Having said that, the car has long been of interest-especially those of the classic American and European types from the middle 20th Century. Indeed, I've owned a few. They appeal to my love of design and style.
I'm generally not interested in capturing the car in its entirety, I prefer to concentrate on details within, along with colour and shape.
Street • 40 artworks
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Street finds.
ArtCity • 38 artworks
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Art from my surrounding environment that wouldn't look out of place if hung in an Art Gallery
Alienation • 25 artworks
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Along with Texture, I also use leaves as an expression of my emotional world, either as it is in the [...]
Along with Texture, I also use leaves as an expression of my emotional world, either as it is in the present or from a past experience.
Neglect • 25 artworks
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I use texture as an expression of my emotions, either as they are now or from experiences in my past.
Recognition
Established artist
The artist is recognized for their work
The artist is recognized for their work
Art Education
The artist studied the arts through his academic studies
The artist studied the arts through his academic studies
Editor's Pick
The artist's works have been noticed by the editorial staff
The artist's works have been noticed by the editorial staff
Sold in galleries
The artist is sold in galleries
The artist is sold in galleries
Biography
Martin Vallis is a professionnal photographer. His style evolved, resulting in tightly- cropped, close-up work, mostly utilising Tungsten lighting, to enhance texture and detail. Two decades later Martin departed from commercial photography, concentrating on his own vision.
Throughout his career, Martin’s style has changed, yet there remains the ever-constant preference for simplicity of solitary objects, reflecting texture and shape: less is more. Society may spend time looking for the ‘Big Picture’ whilst missing the ‘Beauty of Simplicity’. He feels it portrays a deeply felt sense of isolation, solitude and emptiness. The artist is eager to conclude he now understands those feelings are more to do with his condition over reality.
Martin Vallis has studied Visual Communication at Medway College of Art and Design from 1976-79, moving to London in 1980. After working as a Photographic Assistant to Commercial Photographer Gary Bryan for 3 years, he set up his own studio in Chelsea in 1983, that specialised in high-quality still life photography, in the areas of Advertising, Design and Editorial. Martin also shot stills on TV and Cinema commercials, primarily with directors Howard Guard and Ridley Scott (Alien/Blade Runner/Gladiator). Some of Martin’s clients included, British Airways, BMW, Volkswagen and Selfridges.
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Nationality:
UNITED KINGDOM
- Date of birth : 1954
- Artistic domains:
- Groups: Contemporary British Artists

Ongoing and Upcoming art events
No data available yet
Influences
No data available yet
Education
1976 - 1979
Visual Communication
London,
United Kingdom
Artist value certified
No data available yet
Galleries & Groups
Presented by Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery

Achievements
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Activity on ArtMajeur
Last modification date : Apr 19, 2025
(Member since 2018)
Image views: 134,650
Artworks by Martin Vallis added to favorite collections: 782
Latest News
All the latest news from contemporary artist Martin Vallis
Added Feb 21, 2025
The Place Where Thought Begins (Book)
Feel like I've been working on this book for decades but in fact just most of 2024. It's far exceeded my expectations.
Above is the front cover.
It's a personal narrative about the intersection of mental health and creativity.
The book follows the familiar format in that it has a, Forward, Bio, About my process, how the Title came about and Dedications to those who have helped me on my journey so far.
The book is divided into sections, ArtCity, Street, Others, Ego, Alienation, Neglect and Clouds. Each section starts with a quote, verse of a poem or song lyric and section title. Each section has six images.
The Book ends with probably the best poem I've read to date and for me says a lot about my own experiences.
Below the back cover.
The Book is a square format 20x20cm, has 112 pages and priced at £20 + pp and at present is only available directly from me but am exploring other potentials and will update if I find other outlets.
Added Aug 5, 2021
Comments
2

Very happy that my image ‘Other Self’ has been included in this Exhibition.
https://www.thehouseofsmalls.art/theportraitwithin
Reviews and comments

©2021 Martin Vallis
Très belle profondeur de Bleu, j'adore!
Very nice depth of blue, I love it!
Thank you, Nathalie, I’m glad you like it.🖖😸

©2024 Martin Vallis
ATTENTION : Merveille !!!.
ATTENTION: Marvel!!!.
Merci Jacques. J'apprécie que vous ayez pris le temps de commenter et votre soutien.

©2024 Martin Vallis
Excellente et originale. Bravo Martin !.
Merci Jaques, tu ne réaliseras pas à quel point ton message compte pour moi, il arrive à point nommé.
merci beaucoup
Thanks a lot
Molto gentile. Grazie!
Very kind. Thank you!
Je suis trés heureuse ,Martin , de voir mon tableau , dans cette belle collection
Merci beaucoup
I am very happy, Martin, to see my painting in this beautiful collection
Thank you so much
Merci beaucoup Martin d'avoir choisi mon tableau dans votre collection !!! Amitiés, Arnaud. 😊
Thank you very much Martin for choosing my painting in your collection!!! Kind regards, Arnaud. 😊
Very refined and original artist, talent+++
Thanks,Dear Martin for your attention
best regards.
Vadim
Thank you, Dear Martin...
Grazie,felice di essere prente nella tua collezione
Thanks, glad to see you in your collection
Grazie per l’apprezzamento e la condivisione del mio lavoro!
Thank you for appreciating and sharing my work!

©2020 Martin Vallis
Merci d'avoir pris le temps de commenter mon image/travail. Je pense que la simplicité est belle et très souvent négligée car nous sommes trop occupés à chercher le compliqué!
Thank you for taking the time to comment on my image/work. I think simplicity is beautiful and very often overlooked because we are too busy looking for the complicated!

©2022 Martin Vallis

©2022 Martin Vallis
Two of my images currently in this online exhibition.
Thank you so much for adding my artworks on your collection.Gianluca
Thanks a lot Martin.
Delighted to find my collages in such an inspiring collection.
Muchas gracias Martin. Una colección muy interesante, como tus fotografías.

©2021 Martin Vallis
Très belle plume ! ... mais cassée. Dommage ! (c'est de l'humour).
Merci , Martin, pour vos récentes prises de mes oeuvres.
Very nice pen! ... but broken. Damage ! (It's a joke).
Thank you, Martin, for your recent takes of my works.

©2021 Martin Vallis
Indeed, it is, Sorin and still a very good album today.

©2021 Martin Vallis
Fifty years have passed

©2021 Martin Vallis

©2021 Martin Vallis
Thank you for your sympathy and trust in my work. I wish you good luck and inspiration! With respect.

©2020 Martin Vallis
Спасибо вам большое, Elena
Thank you very much, Elena