America Martin & The Modern Still Life

Delving into new approaches, materials and techniques, Martin’s intensity and passion also reflects a keen sense of the art historical lexicon. Documenting the radical evolution in treatment of space, color, form, composition, and expression of the revered still life, her reduced palette and simplification of forms provide the opportunity for a stronger focus on texture and line. Experimenting with line as a tool for two-dimensional representation of the three-dimensional, Martin takes on a new balance between solidity, weight and suggestion.

Continuously challenging her utilization of color and varied mark making, Martin evokes both smooth, bold curves as well as hard, geometric lines. Emphasizing the texture and grain of the paper or canvas, Martin explores the possibilities of the still theme. Often, the palette feels like a mood, as the colors imbue the works with a fuller spectrum of meaning.

Visually notating her surroundings, Martin’s choice to either highlight or obscure particular elements reveals personal allegorical and symbolic significance in each composition. Her flowers are given personalities and attitudes as their energetic marks and gestural lines reinvent each still life into a decisively modern, unexpected interpretation.