Patrons and Major Commissions
In 1989, Martin Oxley received a commission from the National Trust's Foundation for Art. This engagement led to the creation of a specific work that would eventually find its place within the Wallington collection in Northumberland. The project required a focused period of work, beginning in October 1989 and continuing through February 1990.
The resulting piece, titled The China Pond at Wallington, was executed using oil on gesso on board. It is a compact work, measuring 406 x 394 mm (16 x 15 1/2 in). The choice of gesso as a base for the oil paint provides a specific surface for the application of color, a detail preserved in the physical object held by the National Trust.
Notable Works and Collections
The artist's presence is felt in the quiet corners of the National Trust collections. One such piece, The China Pond at Wallington, resides within the Wallington collection in Northumberland. This work, an oil on gesso on board, was completed between 1989 and 1990. It captures a specific stillness, measuring 406 x 394 mm.
In 1998, Oxley produced Along the River (Bel Wytham Woods). This oil on board measures 34 ½ x 43 ½ in. (87.6 x 110.5 cm.). The paint sits on the surface of the board, recording the light and the movement of the water in a way that feels steady and observed.
