De La Warr exhibition

The Martin's ethos was one of optimism, believing that art has a social role to play in improving public life '“ an echo of the fundamental principals on which the De La Warr Pavilion was originally constructed in 1935. Their experiments in abstraction translated into three dimensions taking the form of abstract relief sculptures, mobiles and constructions, using industrial building materials such as wood, metal, plaster and board.

Living and working together, the Martins continually exchanged ideas, although rarely collaborated in their lifetimes.

They met at the Royal College of Art in 1929 and Constructed Works reflects work from the 1950's, 60's and '70's.

This the first time that work by both artists has been seen together since 1971 and, in addition, the pavilion will be exhibiting Mary Martin's recently restored large-scale work Inversions 1966.

This 6ft by 24 ft wall relief made of aluminium, plywood and hardboard uses open half cubes set out in rows and planes to create light, reflection and movement.

Kenneth Martin and Mary Martin were at the forefront of a circle of artists who 'rediscovered' abstraction during the 1940s. Kenneth Martin's mobile sculptures and Mary Martin's reliefs are based around mathematical progression and rules of proportion. Their work looks towards the future, but also acknowledges the legacy of past technologies and the importance of the hand-made. The exhibition includes nearly 50 works and focuses on Kenneth Martin's mobiles and his later Chance and Order series of abstract paintings, alongside Mary Martin's relief sculptures.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of talks and tours and a fully-illustrated catalogue has been produced with especially commissioned text by Toby Paterson, James Hugonin and write and art historian Sam Gathercole. Price 17.50 available from the DLWP shop

Kenneth Martin (1905-1984) was born in Sheffield and studied at Sheffield School of Art. He studied at the Royal College of Art, London (1929-32) and married Mary Balmford in 1930.

He completed his first abstract paintings in 1948-49 and his first kinetic constructions in 1951. He was awarded a gold medal at the International Congress of Artists and Critics at Verucchio, Italy (1965). He started his Chance and Order works in 1969, the year that Mary Martin died. He was awarded an OBE in 1971 and became an Honorary Doctorate of the Royal College of Art in 1976.

Mary Martin (1907-1969) was born in Folkestone, Kent. She studied at Goldsmiths' School of Art before attending the Royal College of Art (1929-32). She married Kenneth Martin in 1930. They have sons, John and Paul.

She started her first abstract paintings in 1950 and her first reliefs in 1951. She was joint first prize winner (with Richard Hamilton) at John Moores 7, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool in 1969.

The De La Warr Pavilion exhibition of their work runs from January 26 to April 20.