Interview
Martin Holl
Martin, born in Peißenberg which is in Bavaria, Germany, had an early handicraft influence through a family metal business.
He started an apprenticeship as a metalworker specializing in metal design in 2014 (the former blacksmith) at Breidenbach Metallbau in Peiting, near Peißenberg. He was able to celebrate the completion of his training in 2018 with good results. Martin was subsequently employed as a journeyman until the end of 2020.
During this time, he improved his metalworking skills and also designed his own projects which he then implemented in the workshop.
As a result, Martin promoted his skills and view of metal design through additional challenges, namely, he completed his master course from September 2020 to July 2021 and was able to finish as the best master of the year in metal construction. During this time he dealt with various styles of modernism, such as Constructivism and Surrealism, and thereby created an extension that he could execute as a master project.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My early exposure in life to the craft of blacksmithing and the various metals shaped my path to becoming a metalworker. Our family has a 400-year-old blacksmith tradition and an existing business. Since my apprenticeship, I have dealt more intensively with metal design and try to design unique pieces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“To convey the aesthetics and durability of metals.
I make use of expressive optics and functionality to inspire people towards the craft, through your own idea, design and implementation.”
“My aim is to make people want to use my work, but also to enjoy looking at it.”
What is your creative process like?
"Passionate, almost meditative, but also exhausting and demanding.
At the beginning of a project, I look at the circumstances around me or go out into nature to find inspiration. Music and a blank sheet of paper in front of me is the starting point, which continues in the forge with a model or sample.
When it comes to realization, I am then finally in the mode to complete the result as best as possible.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is stylized, aesthetically forged, scaled and mostly executed asymmetrically with attention to detail. I try to make my works as harmonious as possible, but that's up to the viewer to decide how they see it.”
Which artists influence you most?
“My trainers, Martin Breidenbach and Uli Walk, as well as my father, Karl Holl, played and still play a major role in my career.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Artists provide inspiration and act as role models, and are therefore indispensable to the society in which we live.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Some of my notable events have included:
-Floral Ybbsitz
-Craft fair in Munich
-150mm Challenge Hereford University
-Biennalle d`Arte Fabbrielle Stia”
Website: www.schmiede-holl.de
Instagram: @martin.holl
