Eddie Martinez: Inside Thoughts

Eddie Martinez's latest paintings combine figurative elements with abstract blocks of color, showcasing his mastery of joining abstraction and representation. His series of White Out paintings, executed during the lockdown, are exercises in looking and discernment.

Format: Hardback
Length: 78 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2021
Publisher: Mitchell-Innes & Nash

This publication accompanies Brooklyn-based painter Eddie Martinezs (born 1966) third solo show at Mitchell-Innes & Nash, featuring new paintings that blend signature figurative elements such as bug-eyed humans and eclectic headgear with gestural, abstract blocks of color. Martinezs latest group of paintings, many executed during the lockdown of 2020, reveal a new mastery of his skills in joining together abstraction and representation in painting. Included in this publication is Martinezs series of White Out paintings, in which he layers white paint over colored lines to create summarily depicted yet familiar figures like heads and flowers in a vase. In her essay for the catalog, Phyllis Tuchman writes, “In the context of so many colorful canvases, the White Outs stand out as exercises in looking as we peer to discern what has been portrayed.”

Eddie Martinez, a Brooklyn-based painter, presents his third solo exhibition at Mitchell-Innes & Nash, showcasing a collection of new paintings that blend figurative elements with abstract blocks of color. The exhibition features a range of paintings, many of which were created during the lockdown of 2020. These works showcase Martinez's exceptional ability to seamlessly combine abstraction and representation in his paintings.

One notable series in the exhibition is the White Out paintings. In these works, Martinez layers white paint over colored lines, creating figures that are both abstract and familiar. The White Outs stand out as exercises in looking, as viewers peer to discern what has been portrayed.

In her essay for the catalog, Phyllis Tuchman explores the significance of these White Out paintings within the context of the other colorful canvases in the exhibition. She notes that the White Outs offer a unique perspective on the interplay between abstraction and representation, highlighting the ways in which Martinez challenges traditional notions of visual language.

Martinez's paintings are characterized by their bold use of color and expressive brushwork. His figures, often adorned with eclectic headgear and bug-eyed expressions, evoke a sense of curiosity and playfulness. The abstract blocks of color in his paintings serve as a backdrop for these figurative elements, creating a dynamic and engaging visual narrative.

Throughout his career, Martinez has explored the boundaries between figuration and abstraction, constantly pushing the limits of what is possible in painting. His latest group of works demonstrates a newfound mastery of this terrain, as he seamlessly blends the two styles to create visually stunning and thought-provoking compositions.

This exhibition offers a glimpse into the creative process of Eddie Martinez, showcasing his exceptional talent and artistic vision. It is a testament to his ability to create works that are both visually striking and intellectually stimulating, pushing the boundaries of contemporary art.

Weight: 888g
Dimension: 249 x 314 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781734405231