Artist Profile
Background
Oscar Martínez was born in Maraguez, Puerto Rico, and resides in Chicago, Illinois. Through the study of science and art at the University of Illinois at Champaign, in 1977, he received a Bachelor of Science in Medical Art from the University of Illinois Medical Center. Mr. Martínez is an accomplished artist who has had numerous group and solo exhibitions throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, and the South Eastern and Midwest regions of the U.S. Among his many credits, his work has been shown in the Museum of Bellas Artes and the National Historical Museum in Mexico, the Desplaines Museum in Illinois, NIU Museum’s Gallery in Chicago, the Field Museum of Chicago, the State of Illinois Museum in Springfield and its gallery in Chicago at the State of Illinois Building. Additionally, his work has been featured on various television shows and published in newspapers and magazines.
Artist Statement
My artwork is about creating the appearance of stories and dramas that are based on reality, dreams and the imagination. This symbolic visual world is based on the illusions that help us give order to an incomprehensible world. I use a personal symbolic vocabulary or metaphors and a complex layering of time and space that are repeated to create a visual memory. This allows me to define my own sense of the metaphysical aspects of life. I use figures, shapes and forms in combination or separate to create a range of possibilities in the visual vocabulary of my artwork.
Style
I use the figure, dreams and nature to create multiple layers and styles in my art work. I am therefore, able to apply these techniques in ways that creates different patterns in my artwork.
Technique
I use a thick layering of oil paint and I carve the paint to reveal layers of colors in the under paint.
Awards
1997-Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority for the new south addition of the McCormick Place purchase award.
1991, 1992, 1995- Department of Cultural Affairs Visual Arts Grant award
1994-ARC Gallery Midwest Regional Jury exhibition, Beryl Wright, Juror, Associate Curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.
1992- Evanston Arts Center Vicinity Jury exhibition; Roy Shale, President of the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Juror.
1991- Chicago Jaycees Outstanding Citizen Award
1991-Brightened Award for leadership and contributions to the City of Chicago.
1986- Leadership Greater Chicago Award
1978 and 79- Museum of Science and Industry Art exhibition-first place award.
Publications
2000
Urban art Chicago, a guide to community murals by Olivia Gude and Jeff Huebner, Ivan R. Dee-publisher, January 2000
1998
UICNews, His art puts nature in its place: new McCormick Place Addition, by Patricia Troumpoucis, front page, May 27, 1998
UIC Neighbors newspaper, Aspects of life renewal the true nature of art, by Patricia Troumpoucis, front page, October 9, 1998
Reader Newspaper, Rogue Gallery, by Jeff Huebner, front page, October 9, 1998 1997
El Dia de las Americas Newspaper, September, 1997
1996
Claridad, review by Egberto Almenas-Rosa, "A Historical Perspective", Puerto Rico-Summer 1995 by Egberto Almenas-Rosa
The New Art Examiner, review by Julee Pearson, Figures at Northern Illinois University Gallery
1995
Art Nexus, Ilana Vardy, critic, exhibition review
Encuentros, Northern Illinois University Center for Latino and Latin American Studies Newsletter Cover article-Summer 1995 by Egberto Almenas-Rosa
Context Art Journal article by Edward Madonado
Latino Artist in Chicago and the Calumet Region Catalog essay
"Valiente," Catalog essay by Edward Maldonado, Associate Curator for the Department of CulturalAffairs, City of Chicago
Chicago Press "Dimensions of the Americas, Art and Social Change in Latin American and the United States" Shifra M. Goldman
Exito Newspaper, "Oscar Luis Martinez el cautivo de Maraguez," Saul Boscan Curiel
"Stairway to Oscar Luis Martinez", Catalog essay by E. Almenas-Rosa/Washington University
Price Range: $500 to $30,000
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