The Martin brothers of Southall
Ealing Council has an extensive collection of ceramics made by the Martin brothers of Southall. The four brothers – Robert Wallace, Walter, Charles and Edwin – established a pottery studio in Southall in 1877, moving from Fulham to an old soap factory on Havelock Road. The move facilitated an ambitious period of production for the studio. Southall was then a rural location, meaning the brothers could afford a large workspace in which to build their kiln – the oven used to fire ceramics - whilst their proximity to the Grand Union Canal allowed them to transport their ceramics to their shop in Holborn, central London.
The Martin brothers are known for their unique style of ceramics, otherwise known as Martinware. The eldest brother, Robert Wallace, trained as a sculptor, and was able to use his technical skill to elevate ceramics to an artform. He is best known for his exploration of grotesque forms, creating jars with ugly faces, grinning underwater creatures and humanoid “Wally birds.” However, the studio created a range of sculptural, decorative and functional ceramics, with each brother assuming their specific role within the production process. This unique studio set up marks the Brothers out amongst their peers, making them arguably the first studio potters in Britain.
The council’s collection is formed from a number of donations, including the Hull Grundy collection, which was given to the council in 1986. Whilst the collection was originally displayed in the old Southall Library and Pitzhanger Manor in the early 2000s, thefts of valuable works meant the collection was placed in storage. A large portion of the collection is now available to view in the current Southall Library.
The Martinware Project
To mark the centennial of Robert Wallace Martin’s death, the council is initiating a series of projects and programming in Southall and across Ealing, working in partnership with local arts organisations and supported by Arts Council England, ArtFund and the Henry Moore Foundation.
For updates on this programming, visit this page or email William Rees on ReesW@ealing.gov.uk to be added to our newsletter.