Cover: America Martin, Moonlight Walk, Oil & Acrylic on Canvas, 48 x 48 in.
LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS,
Andthebearsmiledandpickedaflower;
Thegirlsettledbackandthelionsoftlygrowledwithdelight
Theyknewthebearhadsomethingtosay
Theylovedthetoneofhisvoice&hisgenerousperspectives
Theskyisgolden
Andweneednotaskwhy
Theseflowersareperfection
Andweneednotaskwhy
Theythinkthethreeofus
Wouldnotenjoysuchatimelikethis-Andbesuchgoodfriends
Andweneednotaskwhy
Toaskwhy
Istoponderagreatmanythings
Fromthepast
Andtostallnotonlytoday Butalsotomorrow Letusliveinhowitis-now Letusactwithcare-accordingly Letussaywithgreatjoy Ohwhataperfectflower Ohwhatagoldensky
Ohhowjoyfultotohavefriendsasthese
Andleavethewhy’s Tosomeoneelse -America Martin
LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY!
JoAnne Artman Gallery is pleased to present LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY!, a solo exhibition of new works by America Martin.
Titled after the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, "lions and tigers and bears, oh my!" is exclaimed by Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion as they brave through the perilous forest to the Emerald City. A playful reference to the famous line suggesting that risk is often rewarded, Martin delivers a fresh perspective on a familiar subject.
Adhering to most fundamental aspect of drawing - the line - to tell a story, Martin connects compositional elements with blocked areas of color to both inform and characterize her distinctive style. With unapologetic strokes and a bold palette, America’s forms hum with the vitality and vigor of the world aroundher.
AMERICA
MARTIN (b.1980,LosAngeles,CA)isa Colombian-Americanartist;MartinsplitshertimebetweenLos Angeles,CA,Flagstaff,AZ,andMaine.
Martin’s series of animal portraits captures a temporary stillness, while maintaining the energy and spontaneity of movement. Layering bold swaths of color, her expressionist touch achieves a wildness and freedom that matches each of her subjects. Influenced by her Colombian heritage, classicism, and modernist aesthetics, her work is both a humanist investigation and evocation of the relationship between the human form and thenaturalworld.
Wait Till The Lion Goes Away, Oil & Acrylic on Canvas, 48 x 48 in.
Dance In The Soft Golden Wind (Triptych), Oil & Acrylic on Canvas, 40 x 110 in.
The Unicorn’s Reflection (Triptych), Oil & Acrylic on Canvas, 40 x 110 in.
Good Luck Is A Lion Who Roars And Batts At The Moon, Oil & Acrylic on Canvas, 72 x 36 in.
Portrait In Olive & Peach, Oil & Acrylic on Canvas, 30 x 24 in.
In The Jungle Green Shade, Oil & Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 72 in.
Ode to Matisse, Oil & Acrylic on Canvas, 40 x 60 in.
Published in conjunction with the exhibition: LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY!: America Martin Fall 2024
JoAnne Artman Gallery
326 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
346 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
511A W 22nd St, New York, NY 10011
Catalogue © JoAnne Artman Gallery
Artwork © America Martin