Artwork project
Client: Personal project
Project: Artwork
Date: September 2025
Martin’s Corner was a well-known local store in the Edgeware area of Christchurch from 1944 until 1948. Located near the Century Theatre, it served as a popular community hub for essentials and general goods, catering to the neighbourhood’s daily needs. It reflected the close-knit, suburban atmosphere of Edgeware at the time.
This artwork project stems from conversations with my Father Jim Martin. Before he passed away, I had some great chats with him about the family store. He was suffering from dementia, but his memory was razor-sharp when it came to stories about the shop, what it sold, and the local community. The family found a glass slide that was used to advertise Martin’s Corner at the Century Theatre across the road. The glass slide was used in the projector. There are no photos of the theatre or the shop, but with the help of AI and the information I received from my father, I managed to revive those memories.
The final artwork includes the theatre advertisement and an animation sequence featuring Jim narrating about the shop. Additionally, there is a Spotify playlist of the top songs in New Zealand from 1944-1948. Both the playlist and the artwork are accessible via QR codes at the bottom. Designed to be passed down through generations, the artwork ensures the Martin’s Corner story can live on.
Artwork: Matt Martin
- (click on slides for a closer look)
