Born in 1968, it is Martin Finnin's proud boast that he has dropped out of no less than three art schools in Dublin, Limerick and Cork. He spent some time traveling before returning to Cork in the mid-1990's to resume his career.

Although there can be no question of a direct influence, his work shares certain characteristics with that of Matt Lamb. Finnin's early work was a built up relief effect, which was often three dimensional. Coral sand, zinc powder, powder paints, fur, quail eggs, toy soilders, even Monster Munches were all incorporated in Finnin's work.

More recent works seem to follow the same combination of complex surfaces and simple figures, but his work has been simplified to good effect making...