Fringe Working Issue artist Martin Askem graces us with his inspiring artist statement:

The Saviour of Modern Art

I am a self taught, self developed, self managed and motivated artist who has been practicing for just over one year.

I am without doubt the most exciting artist of the modern generation with my work being rated as powerful as Salvador Dali’s work by many respected art critics and organisations.

I have a vision that I pursue with more vigour and aggression than the late Picasso had in his early days in France. My vision is to be recognised as the greatest living artist in the work and indeed the saviour of modern art.

I have a creative depth of mind that cannot be surpassed and I have future works planned that will not only exceed the currently considered masters but indeed all masters from all time.

My work speaks for itself and will continue to do so.

When this and future generations talk about art, one name will stand above all and that name will be mine

Martin Askem

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He also sheds some light on two of the pieces featured in Fringe:

Ten Decima Street

A dedication to my grandparents Decima & Charlie, A lady who was named Decima for two reasons, firstly Decima being the Latin for ‘Ten’. Decima was the tenth child born in her family of brothers and sisters, her father Thomas also worked in ‘Decima Street’ in London.

This Depicts albeit in a surreal way their struggle in the east end of London in the early 1900’s

My great grandfather murdered, my grandfather lived on the street from the age of 11 after his father was murdered.

A man who knew Charlie Chaplin, he too became a respected and powerful man by initially becoming a boxer to earn money and was a close friend of the boxer Don Cockell (who fought Rocky Marciano). He then went on to become a celebrated master baker and successful business man in London.

There are also subtle references to the 10p tax scandal with ‘10d’(pre-decimalisation for 10p) on the door in the painting and the door being the one of Ten Downing Street.

The Lilly on Cane Hill

A piece that is a surrealist recognition of Sir Charles Chaplin’s life and work.

This piece is my recognition of the greatest talent to walk the earth, Mr Charles Chaplin

Chaplin came from nothing to achieve greatness, Chaplin was far more than a performer though, and he was a great humanitarian.

The title of the piece is personal to Chaplin the ‘Lilly’ being the stage name of Charlie Chaplin’ mother -Lilly Harley. The ‘Cane Hill’ a reference to one of the largest and most notorious mental institutions in England…

Cane Hill a place where Chaplin’s mother spent time during dark times in her own life.

There are elements in the painting that if you research are an accurate reflection of the remnants of Cane hill.