MATT R. MARTIN
Entangled Figures
Growing up in Mildura, Australia, Matt R. Martin’s main exposure to art was through watching movies. His works, as a result, often have a cinematic feel to them. A series of Martin’s new paintings will be on view at RJD Gallery in a show titled The Traces We Leave.
The gallery notes, “We are proud to welcome Matt R. Martin to RJD Gallery, as we have admired his technical talents, evocative narratives and unique compositions for many years. His newest series The Traces We Leave reinforces his signature style that has evolved into an ethereal palette of interwoven figures.”
Referring to his mother’s work as a ballet teacher, the artist notes, “I was always observing dancers and, subconsciously, their dexterity and wide range of controlled movement, surely, I think that crept in as a source.” Throughout his career, Martin has studied and explored the human form in an effort to find perfection and share in physical and emotional concepts. In paintings such as Feel her own shadow and Whispered, figures are entangled, and the viewer cannot be sure where one body ends and the other begins. “These works explore...human postures and proprioception, as well as its orientation, which forces the viewer to consider the human form as a whole, along with its various gestures, shapes and expressions of body language,” Martin says.
Martin thinks of his painting style as one of “heightened realism.” He explains, “It’s definitely a continuation of a theme that I have been exploring whilst incorporating [several styles]. I’m always trying to blend various styles that may influence me, and this is one those explorations.”
The Traces We Leave will be on view from May 12 through June 12.
RJD Gallery 2385 Main Street, Bridgehampton, NY 11932 (631) 725-1161 • www.rjdgallery.com