News
2019-09-01
New artwork in the collection – diptych by Arjan Martins
Lewben Art Foundation collection now includes artwork by Brazilian artist Arjan Martins. His works belong to renowned collections such as: Pinacoteca de São Paulo, PIPA Foundation, Itaú Cultural, MAM (Museu de Arte Moderna) and Perez Art Museum of Miami (PAMM).
Arjan Martins was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1960. In 2018 Martins won the PIPA prize, gaining sympathy from the jury. In the same year he participated in the exhibition "Recortes da Arte Brasileira" at the Art Berlin Fair, as well as in the exhibition "Fratura; integrated the itinerant exhibition EX AFRICA and participated in the 11 ° Mercosul Biennial. In 2017 the artist was awarded a prize for artistic residency in Africa, promoted by the Goethe Institute in Lagos, Nigeria. Also in 2017 he organized a solo exhibition at the O Estrangeiro Foundation, Brasilea Foundation in Basel, Switzerland. In 2016 Martins held a solo exhibition at Et Cetera at the A Gentil Carioca Art Gallery. In 2014 he participated in the group exhibition Do Valongo à Favela, MAR (Rio Museum of Fine Arts). Also in 2014 he organized a solo exhibition for Américas at MAM Rio. In 2009 he participated in the group exhibition "Abre Alas". In 2006 he attended the Dakar Biennale. In 2002, he participated in the group exhibition Arte Brasileira Hoje (Brazilian Art Today), organized his first solo exhibition, Desenhos (Drawings) at the Museu da República (Republic Museum), Rio de Janeiro. His works belong to renowned collections such as: Pinacoteca de São Paulo, PIPA Foundation, Itaú Cultural, MAM (Museu de Arte Moderna) and Perez Art Museum of Miami (PAMM).
In his work, Arjan Martins explores the problems of the African diaspora and African-Atlantic migrations that occurred during colonization of Brazil. Martins creates cartographic paintings depicting migration paths in the form of large caravels, sextants and globes as if they were carrying the full weight of deported slaves on their shoulders all alone. Immigrant and African descendant imagery is a key part of the artist’s iconography, showing them in daily action from their arrival to South America until the present day. His work revolves around the inclusion of characters and codes not shown in history, while his canvases and drawings tell the story of colonization and slavery from those who have endured it and have been tortured by the imposed regime. His paintings are full of rough, uncomfortable shapes, cold and sometimes slightly dirty colors, but they also give them the effect that so often many works are lacking. Martins does not beautify the reality and sees no reason to do so.
Information source: PIPA prize
