GILLES CLEMENT GALLERY
Javier Martin (Spain, 1985) is a multidisciplinary artist who bases his creative exploration on the careful observation of his surroundings, detecting semiotic relationships that might otherwise pass by unnoticed to the myopic observer. With this approach, the artist conceives circumstances that invite reflection on impending maters in today’s world. His works carry eloquent meaning and profound political messages, prompting viewers to reflect on their behavior and social responsibility. Raised in Spain, Martin began pain)ng in oil colors at the tender age of seven, and had his first exhibition at the age of eight; however, he never allowed formal artistic training to influence him. Instead, he relied on his experiences, which allowed him to explore the possibilities of various materials that he incorporates into his work today. Martin supplemented his artistic development by reading about the universal history of art and frequently visiting exhibitions and museums around the world. Traveling, living, and working in countries - from Europe, South Korea, Hong Kong, to the United States - honed his observation skills, allowing him to learn from people and daily situations far removed from his background. Through his work Martin demonstrates his capacity to manipulate materials and conditions to construct sharp visual metaphors masterfully. Vision, much deeper than just the physical and biological defined sense of sight. Javier Martin's Blindness Collection explores the notion of sight, or the lack thereof. The eyes not only permit the observation of the world but provide a window to see inward, beyond the realm of the physical.
Javier has spent over ten years developing one of his most iconic and compelling collections, Blindness. Appropriating the language of advertising, he deconstructs the perceived perfection to create contrast, exploring the warped concepts of beauty and value. In his work, the eyes, classically associated with the reflection of human emotions, will always be concealed. He eliminates one's most compelling and expressive tool, whether behind a vibrant stroke of paint or a glowing neon light, representative of how society's triviality blinds us and takes us further away from what is truly important. Mass media, consumption, and the systems created by society occupy space with vapid distractions, dimming the pure light burning inside each of us which fuels our passions and lives. The neon in the Blindness Light Collection references the bright, artificial lights of consumer culture built to distract from what is truly meaningful. The ultimate goal is not the light but discovering what is behind the light, what lives in each of us. In today's society, perception is everything. Martin's work gives form to the inarticulate feelings of self-worth. Known for its thought-provoking boldness, he creates art that rattles nerves, stirs the senses, and invites the viewer to not only question societal views of worth but their perspectives as well.
![]() Reverb, 2018 Size: 52.5” x 64.5” Medium: Oil Enamel on Baltic Birch Price Upon request | ![]() Who To, 2018 Size: 67.5” x 52.75” x 2" Medium: Oil Enamel on Baltic Birch Price Upon request |
---|---|
![]() Nine Stories, 2017 Size: 44.25” x 67.5” x 2" Medium: Oil Enamel on Baltic Birch Price Upon request |