Birds recur throughout Martin King’s practice, crossing the domains of nature – sky, land and sea. In ‘mirage I’, they meet demise, pigment dripping like tears from their wings. Pinned in open space, King’s birds are suspended between life and death, at once divine in their ability to fly and endangered, as many species of Australian birds are. What does it mean to deny flight from a bird? 

King is recognised as one of Australia’s foremost contemporary printmakers. As well as completing residencies in France, Morocco, India and Antarctica, he has won numerous awards, including the WAMA Art Prize (2023), National Print and Drawing Prize (2022), Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award (2022) and Muswellbrook Drawing Prize (2019). His work can be found in public collections at the British Museum, National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria and Art Gallery of New South Wales, among others. 

Senior Printmaker at the Australian Print Workshop since 1994, King’s work is elegant, evocative and esteemed. For collectors of contemporary prints and birds, ‘mirage I’ is a graceful find. 

Martin KING (1957 - )
'Mirage I'
etching on paper
Edition of 40
Image Size: 44 x 63 cm
Dimensions: 57 x 76 cm
Signed: Editioned, titled and signed 'King' in margin
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Embossed by Port Jackson Press in margin

Condition: Excellent

(c) The Artist or Assignee