Martin O'Neill
Illustration Judge | 2009
“If Peter Blake is the Paul McCartney of collage, then O’Neill is its Tom Waits, a pre-digital artist for a post-digital age. “
John L Walters Eye Magazine.
Martin O’Neill is the judge of the Illustration category. He is a UK based graphic artist and illustrator who creates unique hand made collages for a wide range of international clients encompassing advertising, design, editorial and book publishing, as well as regular contributions to the UK and US press.
He also regularly exhibits his personal collages, prints and collections and is an Associate Lecturer at the London College of Communication, University of the Arts London.
Martin’s work evolves from a fusion of collage, silkscreen, photography, paint, transfers and photo copies. Fifteen years of experimental image making has resulted in his unique and instantly recognisable brand of illustration.
He is constantly sourcing new collage material, something that continues to inspire him, trawling car boot sales, house clearances, jumble sales, rubbish dumps as well as European flea markets unearthing interesting and unusual artefacts, ephemera and objects.
In 2006 O’Neill moved his current studio, 80k, south east of London to Hastings. At around 100 sq foot, the window of this former shop in a landmark art deco building has become an adhoc, accidental gallery space. Martin personally curates his window of curiosities which can consist of artworks, artists’ collections, statements, interesting rescued objects or odd finds from the beach. With no schedule or sales motives this window gallery can change on a daily or monthly basis.
