PORTFOLIO | PERSONAL PROJECTS
As a commercial photographer of new or restored architecture, Martine’s pleasure is exploring the polar opposite with her camera; the old, unloved and abandoned built environment. An interest in ‘the sublime and picturesque’ as described by Klingender, F.D (1947) in Art and the Industrial Revolution, is what Martine is drawn towards, and the following galleries show images from personal projects.
NOTTINGHAM WAR ROOMS
One of 11 Regional Seats of Government designed in 1952/3 for use in the event of a nuclear attack on the UK. This long decommissioned bunker sits somewhat incongruously in a Nottingham suburb, surrounded by new family homes.
AMERICAN RUIN
A series of highway stops and abandoned settlements across the United States including Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado and Utah.
BRADFORD ICE
Bradford Ice Arena was constructed in 1966 by Mecca Leisure Ltd. Unlike most of my personal projects, this set of pictures is different – they show an aging, but much loved and actively used building. This series depicts Malachite Synchro Team, a group of dedicated parents and skating teens who train at the rink. It was also a collaboration with documentary photographer Karina Lax, whose portraits complement my own scene-setting images.
CINEMA HULKS
Cinema Hulks is a personal project featuring a number of former picture houses in Nottingham’s city centre. They are either abandoned, or have taken on different roles, a carpet salesroom, two churches, a business centre and a Haunted Museum. Shortly after the series was completed, the museum moved to a new location and the building is sadly and swiftly deteriorating.
FUERTEVENTURA’S FRONTIERLANDS
Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands was once far greener than we encounter it today. Countless smallholdings have floundered in recent times owing to a lack of water available for profitable farming. Pressure to provide irrigation for tourist areas has squeezed agriculture to a bare minimum.
THE VICTORIA CLUB
The evocative Victoria Club in Nottingham’s city centre was first photographed by Martine on 5×4″ film stock in the early 2000’s. She returned 17 years later to discover everything intact – the club had long closed but tables were still set, optics were in the bars, cigars in their boxes. It seemed to be sleeping – awaiting a clientele who would never arrive for their evening’s cocktails, fine dining and gaming in the casino. Today, the building is home to a Cosy Club restaurant and much of the ambience depicted here happily still survives.
JOHN PLAYER
Nottingham’s former John Player Bonded Warehouses were photographed shortly after the company vacated. This complex of 1930’s warehouses is now down and the site is awaiting redevelopment.
ELVASTON CASTLE
Grade II* listed Elvaston Castle is a Gothic Revival stately home in South East Derbyshire. Originally constructed in 1633 and updated in 1829, the building has been empty for several decades, with a trust keeping it as secure as they can, a high task given that there are over 50 structures on the estate which require care and maintenance.
