Dylan Martinez: New Works

Dylan Martinez: New Works
February 21 - March 22, 2019
Jan. 7, 2019 – Naples, FL – METHOD & CONCEPT is delighted to present “Dylan Martinez: New Glass Works,” a solo exhibition featuring seventeen unique sculptures that reveal the artist’s remarkable aptitude for glass making. In this exhibition, on view from Feb. 21 – Mar. 22, 2019, Martinez plays with the boundaries of material and human perception, challenging expectations by manipulating light, space and the optical properties of glass. An opening reception will take place on February 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the gallery, located at 26 10th Street South Naples, FL 34102.

Featured is H20/SiO2, 2016, also known as the “Water Bag" series. This work originates from Martinez’s experience being red-green color-blind, as well as his interest in the art technique, Trompe-l'œil. In the "Water Bag Series," the artist uses rising bubbles to create the effect that these sculptures – made entirely of hot glass – appear as actual bags of water. This optical illusion imparts that what we perceive as true is not always as it appears.

Also on view is Mach 3, 2018, a glass sculpture created with the motivation to confuse light. In this work, Martinez cut and polished each rod of glass, meticulously positioning them in order to reflect, capture and obscure intricate pieces of the surrounding environment. The resultant effect is a dynamic visual field that distorts and refigures the work’s particular moment in space and time, creating an ever-changing visual symphony of light and color.

Additionally featured is Inverted Logic, 2017, a sculptural installation composed of a repurposed camera and condenser lens. This work subverts the camera’s original function of representing the world as it is, by warping its environment. As the viewer navigates the gallery, their perception is in a constant state of flux, as the decals invert, shift and stretch. Inverted Logic provides the opportunity to explore new interpretations of the environment and inspires a sense of wonder.

Dylan Martinez holds an MFA in Glass from Ball State University (Muncie, IN) and a BS from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (River Falls, WI). Recent exhibitions include “Autumnal Group Exhibition” at Lyons Weir Gallery, New York, NY (2018); “Winter 18/19 Group Show” at Galerie Palü, Pontresina, Switzerland (2018); “Competition -35” at Castello Sforzesco, Milan, Italy (2018); “101 Bowls” at Osher Gallery, American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, MN (2018); among many others. Martinez is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Enrico Bersellini Award, Miano Vetro -35, Milan, Italy (2018); Stanislav Libensky Award, Prague, Czech Republic (2017); among others. His work has been included in several notable publications including American Craft Magazine (2017) and Aesthetica Magazine (2017).

Located in beautiful Naples, Florida, METHOD & CONCEPT, formerly Thomas Riley Studio, is a gallery, art consultancy, and design atelier, serving as an incubator, catalyst and purveyor of international emerging and mid-career interdisciplinary artists. We believe that contemporary craft, fine art and design share a symbiotic relationship, each building upon the other to form a holistic view of the world in which we live. Method & Concept is a Thomas Riley Company.