My Story

After a life changing stroke, I dismiss the idea that we are doomed to fight an uneven struggle between opportunity and possibility. My work is a celebration of possibility and optimism in the face of inequality : We decide whom we become.

About Martin 

Martin Kinnear (b. 1969), is a self taught oil painter from the council estates of Northern England with awards from the Paris Salon and collectors at the highest level of UK society

His work spans many subjects but is rooted in just one, an autobiographical view of the world as he sees it, the subject of his first solo show The Painted Garden (2016).

In 2004 Martin suffered a catastrophic brain injury which left him disabled and changed the nature of his work and his thinking; emphasising ability in disability, opportunity in inequality and potential in catastrophic change.

Recognised as 'a true artist' by Catherine Severac (president for peinture; Societie Nationale des Beaux Arts) on the presentation of his Medaille d' Argent at the 2018 Paris Salon, and as 'the natural successor to Norman Cornish' following his artistic residence by the curators of The Bowes, Martin's work has won him increasing critical acclaim, as well as a coveted MA Painting place at the Royal College of Art.

At the start of 2020, a work from Martin's recent paintings of the North was accepted by The Prime Minister Boris Johnson and taken into the Govt. Art Collection to hang in Downing St. to provide a visual reminder of the North West at the heart of government.

Exhibitions & Awards 

2024

MA Painting: RCA

2023

October: Invited exhibitor and speaker University of Durham

April 7th - 16th Chaiya Art Awards - Southbank London

19th April - 7th May: Martin Kinnear. New Works, Solo Show Tennants Gallery, North Yorkshire

June 9th - 16th - The Gallery at Sedbury ,Richmond 

2022

Martin Kinnear, Societie Nationale des Beaux Arts Salon, Paris.

Martin Kinnear, Regeneration, Solo Show, The Bowes Museum, County Durham

Martin Kinnear. Works from Regeneration, Solo Show ,Tennants Gallery, North Yorkshire

2021

Martin Kinnear, Landscapes of The North, Solo Show, Tennants Gallery, North Yorkshire

2020

Martin Kinnear, 'Backstreet Burnley', Govt. Art Collection for Downing St

Martin Kinnear, Lefty's North, Solo Show, Tennants Gallery, North Yorkshire

Artist in Residence, Norman Cornish Retrospective, The Bowes Museum.

2019

Martin Kinnear, Societie Nationale des Beaux Arts Salon, Paris.

The Holt Festival, Auden Gallery, Holt. 

2018

Martin Kinnear, Beyond Here, Solo Show, Tennants Gallery, North Yorkshire

Martin Kinnear, Societie Nationale des Beaux Arts Salon, Paris.

Awarded Medaille d' Argent for Peinture. 

2017

Iona Gallery, Woodstock, Oxon. 

2016

Martin Kinnear, The Painted Garden, Solo Show, New British Art Gallery, Norfolk