Nec Spe Nec Metu literally translates as ‘without hope, without fear’ and is a motto used in different contexts in the Renaissance period. It may depart from Jason Martin’s characteristic use of paint, pigment and metals, however it bears the imprint of a recognisably rigorous motion driven by the artist’s intuition. Martin often oscillates between sculpture and painting, drawing from the styles of abstract expressionism and minimalism. Nec Spe Nec Metu marks his recent explorations with the materials and processes of print and papermaking at STPI, where he applies his monochromatic palette and captures gestures of ephemerality.
The resulting print is a timeless rendition that encapsulates Martin’s experiment with drypoint etching (where lines are carved into a plate) – a rather sculptural process of exploring formal concerns such as colour, light, form, movement and space.
