Marissa Mardon
Artist Statement:
I am a contemporary oil painter based in Rochester, Medway, and a resident artist at Sun Pier House since 2015. My atmospheric landscape paintings are inspired by the places I live and work. Growing up in the Highlands of Scotland shaped my sensitivity to light, weather and space. Later, after studying Contemporary Dance in London, I changed direction and graduated with a First-Class Honours degree in Fine Art in 2008.
Today, my work focuses on Medway’s industrial architecture, riverside views and urban landscapes. Using photography as a starting point, I capture fleeting moments and translate them into layered oil paintings. I am known for softly blurred tones, muted colour palettes and subtle abstraction.
Through this balance of observation and expressive mark-making, I aim to create immersive, contemplative paintings that invite viewers to pause and connect emotionally with place.
Medium & Specialty: Fine Artist
Sun Pier Resident Since: 2015
Exhibitions and Projects:
-
2024 Pier at the Pop, Halpern Pop Gallery, Rochester
- 2022 A Little to the Left, Sun Pier House, Chatham
- 2018 Codes and Conflict, The Flippin Frog, Rochester
- 2016 Paintings, Solo exhibition, The Flippin Frog, Rochester
- 2016 The Flower Show, Halpern Gallery, Chatham
- 2016 Lesser Known Rochester, Halpern Gallery, Chatham
- 2015 Method, Sun Pier House Gallery, Chatham
- 2015 Artefact, Royal Engineers Museum, Brompton
- 2014 Time Lapsed, Rochester Art Gallery, Rochester
- 2014 Elements, KAN Exhibiton, What If Gallery, Dartford
- 2013 Nude, Halpern Gallery, Chatham
- 2013 Art in the Dockyard, Smithery Gallery, Chatham Historic Dockyard
- 2012 Chatham Zoo, Halpern Gallery, Chatham
- 2012 Ten, Nucleus Gallery, Chatham
- 2012 Four, Horsebridge Art Gallery, Whitstable
- 2011 Blurred Vision, Nucleus Gallery, Chatham
- 2011 Art in the Dockyard, Smithery Gallery, Chatham Historic Dockyard
- 2011 Nucleus Open, Nucleus Gallery, Chatham
- 2010 That’s You That Is, (Curator and Exhibitor)Nucleus Gallery, Chatham
Education and Training:
- 2008 Fine Art BA Hons, London Metropolitan University (Sir John Cass)
Awards and Recognition:
- 2013 First Prize winner, Figurative Category, Art in the Dockyard
- 2011 First Prize winner, Figurative Category, Art in the Dockyard
“My time as a Sun Pier House resident has supported my artistic development within a vibrant creative community. Access to studio space, exhibitions, and collaboration opportunities has encouraged experimentation and professional growth.
Alongside developing my own practice, I teach the regular Wednesday & Thursday Art Clubs and tutor private students.”
Gallery
Our Artists & Creative Community
Sun Pier House is home to 28 working studios shared by 33 professional artists and makers. Undoubtedly forming one of the most diverse and vibrant creative communities on the riverside.
Our residents represent a wide range of contemporary art and craft practices. Within our building you’ll find a tattooist, stop-motion animator, silversmith, performance artist, milliner, illustrator, graphic designer, painter, photographer and many more creative professionals working across disciplines.
Together, our residents reflect the strength and diversity of contemporary creative practice today. With every visit to Sun Pier House, you are not just stepping into a gallery, you are entering a working community of artists and makers shaping the cultural life of our area every day.
