Artwork Information

Computers reduce big picture complexity to simple yes/no decisions, albeit millions of them. Martin Thompson works similarly. He makes drawings on graph paper, filling in on or leaving blank the squares according to a mathematical plan, generating beautiful, often trippy patterns in the process. Our appreciation of his works does not simply reside in enjoying the patterns, but in recognising the manual and mental processes by which they are generated. The works are also rich in association. Stella Brennan is reminded of "stars, Pac-Men, and snowflake-patterned knitwear", Stuart Shepherd of "complex quilts, radiating mandelas or patterns of pixilated TV static". (Snake Oil, 2005)