Rod Collins

Max Marschner Artist Extraordinaire
I went to an exceptionally good art exhibition today and one which was of particular interest to me, and you’ll see why . . .

Photography !
Well, when I say that it sounds simple, this was anything but !
Once again I had the great good fortune to be in Caistor, Lincolnshire, at the Caistor Arts Centre, more of that later, and that, of course, should be enough good fortune for any young man !
But not so, there was even more - it was a Meet the Artist event in the art gallery and I got to meet a wonderful artist - Max Marschner.

The work is photographically based but is so much more. Max is a master printmaker and also develops all his own photographs.
These works are described as being photo etchings and the process is quite extraordinary.
Me being me I thought these are great I’ll muscle in on this idea so rather cheekily asked the artist whether he would share his secret on how he created these wonderfully inspiring images - he very kindly did and it soon became apparent I’d be muscling in on nothing . . .

The process requires the use of infra-red film, your own darkroom along with countless processes and a lifetime of artistic experience, they are works of genius, I kid you not.

I’m sorry to go have gone on a bit about the technique but in the days of hipstamatic and photoshop it’s important to realise just how difficult these images were to create, whilst based on a photograph they are well and truly on another level.
Here is the artist, taken today at The Caistor Gallery . . .

It was great to see the Arts Centre absolutely buzzing today, great atmosphere in the cafe, loads of people coming and going at the library and of course some great people to meet at the gallery.
I really did have a wonderful time and I would urge as many as possible to drop in - you really can’t go wrong

Here’s what turned out to be one of my favourite pieces, it says Berlin and the Cold War to me, maybe that’s because I once Lived Like a Cold War Spy

It is in fact called Sound Mirror and is tremendous

As always, these are my photographs of the artwork and shot with no flash etc, to truly see them in their splendour you really must visit the exhibition.
If you’re interested in fine art or ‘real’ photography then this is one you really cannot miss.

I’d like to thanks Max and his wife Jill Marschner for tolerating my idiotic questions and everybody I met on the day.

I left Caistor today a great deal happier than when I arrived plus very much inspired and enthused to try and do something worthwhile photographically.
If somebody’s work can instil those feeling in another person then I can think of no higher praise.

Enthusiastically yours,
Rod