Javier Martin

In this incredible powerful artwork of Javier Martin called “Entre el cielo y lo fluorescente” we see a serene, seductive model whose eyes have been covered up by a blending neon stripe. Behind this tempting face, glowing neon light and vibrating sky colors Javier Martin chooses for the background breathtaking depictions of the sky and sets it in a confrontation with the artificial and reflected light. With the help of her beauty and self-confidence, the model seduces and, at the same time, forces the viewers to take place in her world - behind the light, in total blindness and delusion.

The small-format work by Javier Martin "In the clouds" from 2021 shows us a portrait, the eyes look directly at the viewer. Confident and challenging at the same time. In this work, the blue luminous stripe acts as a filter, it facilitates the view, as if through sunglasses. With a technical trick, Javier Martin uses instead of the neon lights an argon light and leaves it to the viewers whether they want the direct eye contact or not.

Three beauty ideologies, all three with fine neon stripes on their eyes. This Triptych called “Timeless Light” by Javier Martin shows collages that have been carefully attached to the wooden panel. The models stand as allegories for beauty, delusion, and advertising.

A woman in a white summer dress, standing in glistening sunlight, looking towards the horizon, with absolute determination and wonderful self-confidence. She sees her goal in front of her, is aware of its attainability and does not allow herself to be distracted or blinded. "Apagado" is a very essential work from Javier Martin's Blindness series.

A full moon, majestic mountain ranges and a pitch-black night sky - Martin closes the viewer's journey throughout the day with the depiction of the night in “Blindness Between the moon and the lies”. With 2 x 2 meters, this collage is one of his biggest works to date. For each of his artworks, he imagines the depicted models within an individually created world filled with light and landscape elements. Unlike his typical close-up portrait compositions, in this case, he uses the space to show the viewer the landscape in which he places his main figure.

On the occasion of Javier Martins exhibition “Lights Appropriation”, we take a closer look at "Blindness Inner Door" and the meaning of natural light. Following the Blindness-concept, we find here different elements which represent the natural light: - the Maya Symbol of the sun - a surrealistic door that opens the view into a blue sky - the typical model, blinded by a glueing yellow brushstroke.

Welcome to PULPO’s Spotlight series. One of the first paintings we see when entering Javier Martin’s current exhibition, is the work behind me. The title “SVA” gives us an immediate clue to the hidden message behind this collage. Martin takes the viewer on a journey to the world of advertising. In the glow of the striking purple neon stripe, a sharp face that comes from the perfectly staged world of editorials looks back at us. After the sensation of the first glimpse has been overcome, one recognizes the masterful allusion. Martin effortlessly combines different materials within painting and collage to construct a harmonious composition based on multiple layers. It is left to the curiosity of the viewer to experience what is hidden behind those layers.

At this stage of his 15-year process of creating the iconic Blindness collection, Javier Martin presents a continuation of this series: it concerns the appropriation of light, the struggle and contraposition of natural, artificial, and reflected light, and the visual definition of the complex characteristics of light.

At this stage of his 15-year process of creating the iconic Blindness collection, Javier Martin presents a continuation of this series: it’s about the appropriation of light, the struggle and contraposition of natural and artificial light. It's about the things that blind us, that make us unsee the reality and the truth. It's about advertising and the battle between the real and unreal.