EXPRESSIVE QUALITIES OF LIGHT (Interview by Sean O’Toole) – May 2008
The differences and distinctions between painting and photography, obvious as some of these might be, have been remarked upon often in writing. Still, looking at the work of Pretoria-based photographer Martin Osner, one is reminded that when it comes to depicting visual experiences, whether through paint or with light, the two disciplines – painting and photography – nonetheless share certain attributes. Perhaps the most important of these is the act of looking, the action of experiencing and interpreting the objective world through

INVESTMENT ART (Article by Sean O’Toole) Best of South Africa – October 2007
Friendship, it is this universal idea, as well as a mutual interest in photography as a fine art that prompted Martin Osner and Koos van der Lende to collaborate on the Fingerprint Collection. Asked about the origins of this portfolio of fine art photographs, they both refer to the profound sense of camaraderie that has developed between them over years – this and a photographic excursion they once made to a rural wilderness famed for its vast,

MOMENTS OF GRACE (Article by Fiona Peake) PIX Magazine – February 2009
On a winter’s day in 1984, photography and Martin met quite by accident. A meeting that redirected his life and changed it forever. Over the past twenty odd years, while walking the path of self discovery, his approach has taken numerous detours. The journey has allowed a move towards a relaxed subconscious attitude with the desire to express simplicity and honesty through his work. “For me” admits martin, “a photograph holds an undeniable sense

INTERVIEW WITH URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY.COM – November 2008
Abstract photography is just one area that the award winning photographer Martin Osner covers. The first time I looked at Martins work on his site www.martinosner.com I was just instantly blown away and hooked. Often I quickly browse through photographs, but with Martin’s I really took my time to look at them and let my eye explore every aspect of them. Martin’s work is captivating and thought provoking and just plain good. His abstract photography (one of my personal favourite areas of work) encouraged me to go out and

FEATURE IN FOCUS MAGAZINE ( USA ) – June 2008
Martin Osner was born in Johannesburg South Africa in 1963 where, at the age of eighteen, he found photography by accident. Interested in painting, he slowly gravitated towards photography as his medium of choice. Over the past twenty years his work has taken numerous detours on a journey that has allowed him to refine his vision—with which he desires to express simplicity and honest. For him, a photograph holds an undeniable sense of realism, an easily

THE BIG PICTURE - (Article by Sean O’ Toole) SUNDAY TIMES – September 2006
Photography, despite the march of the megapixel and the general hullabaloo about digital, is still incapable of some very simple things. For proof, take a stroll to your favourite tree (bonsai’s don’t count). Try compressing its abundance into a single frame. Not so easy is it. Trees are hard to photograph, I propose to Martin Osner. “Yes and no” he responds ambiguously. “The one thing with trees is that they have a very strong triangular shape, and they also work in rhythm. Then you also have texture.”

CELEBRATE PHOTOGRAPHY - (by Sally Thompson) THE WEEKENDER – July 2009
Sir – I was astonished, when newspapers are folding, to see the profligate use of an entire page dedicated to - would you call this art? (June 20-21). While the article seemed wellreasoned, I thought it was a stuck-in-the-past, spent argument. However, if this argument does have such spectacular currency in The Weekender, it stands not only as a testament to the neglect of the arts in the media, but also highlights the

PHOTOGRAPHY & INTERIOR DESIGN - by Annin van Wyk - BEST OF SA - October 2007
“From today, painting is dead!” So – as legend would have it – proclaimed French history painter Paul Delaroche upon presenting the daguerreotype, a forerunner of the modern photograph, to the French government in 1839. Indeed, the rug was pulled from underneath traditional painters: no longer was making a faithful record of reality considered art. Since George Eastman introduced his box camera to the world in 1888, anybody could be an artist. Or could you?

THE RISING POPULARITY OF PHOTOGRAPHY - THE DIPLOMAT – Oct 2009
Today the rising popularity worldwide of art photography is quite phenomenal. More and more local galleries are showcasing photography, with collectors and art lovers acquiring an undeniable taste for this contemporary art form. So what is fine-art photography and what has changed that has made it so popular? To search for the answer we have consulted with two renowned South African fine-art photographers, Martin Osner and Koos van der Lende.

FEATURE - MARTIN OSNER Practical Photography ( UK ) – October 2009
Friendship, it is this universal idea, as well as a mutual interest in photography as a fine art that prompted Martin Osner and Koos van der Lende to collaborate on the Fingerprint Collection. Asked about the origins of this portfolio of fine art photographs, they both refer to the profound sense of camaraderie that has developed between them over years – this and a photographic excursion they once made to a rural wilderness famed for its vast,