Martina Hildebrandt: CV

I'm a London-born artist and designer now living in Reading. Having trained as a Theatre Designer at the Wimbledon School of Art, I worked for the London Fringe and touring companies for 7 years. Moving on in a different direction I dealt with another kind of paint, working as a paint expert for B&Q Reading 1999–2020. In 2007 I decided to go back to art school, taking short courses at the TVU (Reading College). Joining the Reading Guild of Artists (RGA) in 2009 gave me the opportunities I wouldn't have had on my own. I am an active member and am currently on the RGA council having volunteered as their Webmaster for over ten years (retiring in 2023). I also look after their archive and continue to do research for the RGA Museum Highlights.

Exhibitions

(Group shows unless stated otherwise)

2023
Six Artists Summer Show RBH Corridor Exhibition

2022
Southbank Printmakers Mini Print Exhibition 2022, Southbank Printmakers, Unit 12 Gabriel's Wharf, London

Bookface, The Rising Sun Arts Centre

Joint café exhibition, Geo-Café, Caversham

Small Works, Turbine House, Riverside Museum, Reading

Biscuits and Bricks, Turbine House, Riverside Museum, Reading

Art Works, RGA 91st Annual Exhibition, The Old Fire Station Gallery, Henley-on-Thames

Whiteknights Studio Trail 2022, Guest artist

St Barbe Open 2022, St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, Hampshire

Festival of Art Exhibition, The Base, Greenham

Sense of Space, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell

Solo café exhibition, Geo-Café, Henley-on-Thames

2021
November Postcard Exhibition 2021, Highgate Contemporary Art, Online

Southbank Printmakers Mini Print Competition 2021, Southbank Printmakers, Unit 12 Gabriel's Wharf, London

Reading Charity Art Fair in aid of Royal Berkshire Hospital Staff Wellbeing Centre, Oakview Room, Leighton Park School, Reading

The Last Gasometer and Reading's Changing Skyline, Turbine House, Riverside Museum, Reading

Reconnected, RGA 90th Annual Exhibition, The Old Fire Station Gallery, Henley-on-Thames

"while we wait", RGA Online Exhibition – curation and design

2020
Celebrating Our Town – Discover Reading, RGA Online Exhibition – curation and design

2019
In Reading Gaol by Reading Town, Turbine House, Riverside Museum, Reading.

Rockin' Relics – New Relics for Reading, Minster Church of St Mary and Reading Museum

RGA at the Museum, RGA 89th Annual Exhibition, Reading Museum

2018
Reading in the Margins, joint exhibition with Liz Real, HolyBrook Gallery

Lilies for Oscar Wilde, Haslams Reading and Reading Museum

2017
RGA Summer Show, University of Reading

Hooray Henley!, RGA 87th Annual Exhibition, The Old Fire Station Gallery

2016
RGA Summer Show, University of Reading

Spring into Action, RGA 86th Annual Exhibition, The Old Fire Station Gallery

2015
Technology Stroll, solo exhibition Progress Theatre

RGA Summer Show, University of Reading

Take Reality by Surprise!, RGA 85th Annual Exhibition, The Old Fire Station Gallery

2014
Made in Earley, The Peacock Gallery

RGA September Show, Reading University

Spring Greens, RGA 84th Annual Exhibition, The Old Fire Station Gallery

2013
Light Fantastic, RGA 83th Annual Exhibition, The Old Fire Station Gallery

2012
Buckets and Spades and Summer Days, RGA Summer Exhibition, The Old Fire Station Gallery

2010
Eighty!, RGA 80th Annual Exhibition, Museum of Reading and Peacock Gallery

Community projects

2022 Art in the Arbour Liz Real's Pop-up gallery in support of homeless charity Lauchpad Reading

2020 Collage in a Time of COVID, online project as part of Oh Beautiful World! by Eleanor Lakelin

2019 Rockin' Relics – New Relics for Reading, Minster Church of St Mary and Reading Museum

2018 RGA Pop-Up exhibition and events, Reading Museum

2017 – 2018 Lilies for Oscar Wilde, Haslams Reading and Reading Museum

2018 – current Museum Highlights – research and online resource project

2012 – 2018 Royal Berkshire Hospital Corridor Exhibitions

2012 – current Webmaster (voluntary), Reading Guild of Artists

2013 – current Archivist (voluntary), Reading Guild of Artists

2010 Curated photographic exhibition A glimpse into our 150 year history, German YMCA in London

2007 – 2013 Exhibited Nettlebed Art and Craft Show, Annual show

Awards, Collections and Publications

2022 "At last I saw...", Illustration in book Reading Gaol: a short history, Two Rivers Press

2021 Diver's Paradise, Highly Commended, Reading Charity Arts Fair

2020 Meet the Makers: Characters of Reading Abbey Quarter. Designed a range of merchandise for Reading Museum

2020 Collection of 18 illustrations for book Reading's Influential Women, Two Rivers Press

2017 – 2019 assisted layout design and editing for book Pressed Plants "Naturally"

2019 "At last I saw...", added to the Michael Seeney's Oscar Wilde Collection

2018 Produced a range of Henry I merchandise Inspired by... for Reading Museum

2017 Marie Dyson Award Joint Winner for "Morlais Castle" – The Last Days of Steam, Henley-on-Thames

2005 – 2010 research, layout and cover design It Can Be! 150 years German YMCA in London 1860 – 2010

Theatre

Theatre designer and scenic artist 1991 – 1999

Time + Space, Design for performance, group exhibition Royal College of Art, London 1999

Guest Designer for 10 productions, The Arts Educational, London, Summer 1997 & Spring 1998

Resident Designer and Production Manager, The New End Theatre, Hampstead 1993 – 1996

Freelance designer, assistant designer, prop maker, scenic painter 1991 - 1997

Education:

TVU (Reading College) Life Drawing and Painting 2007 - 2008

TVU (Reading College) Printmaking 1 and 2 Exploring Printmaking 2008-2009

Wimbledon School of Art 1988-91, BA (Hons), Theatre Technical Arts Design

Sir John Cass, City of London Polytechnic 1987-88, Part-time Art Foundation