THE ARTIST ON HIMSELF

I was born in August 1957 in Coatbridge, Scotland, on what I hope was a beautiful day—but it was probably raining. I studied at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen from 1976 to 1980, earning a BA in Design, specialising in Ceramics. From 1980 to 1984, I lived a dual life—by day, working in the office-based departments of oil companies; by night, spinning records as a DJ in Aberdeen’s top nightclubs. In 1985 I moved to Lodon and continued in the oil industry within graphic departments until 1987, when I joined Slideshow, a printing company based at the Barbican. I’ve been there ever since—because clearly, I like to see things in print. Then came 1988, the year when my life changed forever (for the better!). I met a lady who knocked me sideways. When I got back up off the ground, I found myself married to the most talented Polish Impresario posing as a writer and journalist. I quickly had to get used to the word “kropka” as she dictated stories over the phone to Polish newspapers in Warsaw. Back then, email wasn’t an option, and fax machines had only just been introduced. I soon learned that the Polish word for full stop would become an essential part of both my vocabulary and my life. I married the genius in 1989, and now we have two lovely, grown-up children. Hook, line, and sinker, I was immediately integrated into Polish literary circles—offering help with printing, layouts, and whatever else needed doing. These days, we live in Chiswick with our two French bulldogs, affectionately known in the family as ‘the stinkies’. THINGS I ENJOY Polish events (not that I have much choice on this one!), motor racing, doing the dishes (yes, really), cleaning the floors (true or false), unblocking drains (not as often as I’d like), and — most importantly — seeing people happy and enjoying life. Big family lunches at Number 5, and, of course, painting these crazy, mad, and colourful works you can see before you. If you are interested in any of my pieces, please contact me at martin@taylorart.co.uk