Alice Martin

Alice Martin is a Melbourne-based fine artist with a focus on figurative painting, self-portraiture, and advocacy. Alice currently resides and studies in Narrm, Melbourne, after having grown up in the tropics of far North Queensland, in between Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands. After experiencing the debilitating impacts of invisible and chronic illness during her youth and onwards, Alice has focused on expanding her practice to best represent, educate and convey the experiences of herself and others to the greater public.

A Study of Hands

First Prize Winner in the VAS Edward Heffernan Memorial Drawing Prize

"Growing up, no one in my immediate family are or were overly artistic. We still joke about where it came from with me. However, in a roundabout way, I can see where the influences came from. I had a childhood surrounded by nature and paint thanks to my family’s small businesses – a plant shop and a Deluxe paint store. These experiences have likely shaped my practice in subtle ways.

Retracing Footsteps

28 (W) x 42cm (H)

Pastel pencil on toned paper

My connection to the arts has been present since childhood, but I truly began my artistic journey when I fell ill with Myalgic Encephalitis and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome at age 13. Unable to leave the house due to debilitating fatigue, nausea, headaches, and brain fog, I turned to art as my escape. During years of being partially bed-bound and mostly housebound, I expressed my feelings, experiences, and thoughts through my artwork.

Jupiter Falling

67 (W) x 83cm (H)

Oil on board

My passion for art has grown through years of personal study and formal education. After graduating with a Diploma of Visual Arts in Cairns, I was accepted into RMIT to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Art (Painting) in 2023. Moving interstate alone was a significant adjustment, but from a young age, I knew Melbourne was where I wanted to be. I had lived there briefly at 16 while undergoing treatment at the Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital and fell in love with the city’s vibrant art scene. It became a personal goal to live there one day—and I achieved that goal.

Wings, Stings and Delicate Things

45 (W) x 85cm (H)

Acrylic on canvas

At age 20, I was honoured to receive the Mason Family Trust Scholarship, an incredible opportunity for fine art students whose studies have been impacted and who demonstrate artistic merit. I am grateful to have this scholarship for the duration of my studies.

The Rust beneath my Skin

60 (W) x 90cm (H)

Acrylic on aluminium, rust

My art practice is currently focused on exploring the interconnection of the human form and nature in relation to chronic and invisible illness. I am especially drawn to the subject of hands, which serve as a universal visual storyteller. The human figure captivates me, as it can effectively convey complex emotions and experiences. I find a certain vulnerability in this subject that resonates with my own experiences, and I believe that vulnerability carries a profound power. I find myself inspired most by classical, baroque-esque visuals, an aesthetic that reflects within the artwork I produce.

Botanic Gardens

51 (W) x 70cm (H)

Acrylic on canvas

Within my current body of work, I delve into the notion of identity through form, nature and eroding materials, aiming to explore aesthetic beauty as a conceptual tool. I draw significant inspiration from classical and baroque aesthetics, which influence the artwork I create. By sharing my journey, I hope to foster understanding and empathy, inviting viewers to connect with the often-overlooked realities of living with chronic conditions. I aim to illustrate my unique view of experiencing a chronic, invisible illness and raise awareness for others who are not well enough to speak for themselves – as I once was."