Eddie Martinez

Eddie Martinez (b. 1977, Groton Naval Base, Connecticut) is an American painter and sculptor based in Brooklyn. Known for his energetic fusion of figuration and abstraction, Martinez creates large-scale works that foreground his muscular brushwork and bold use of mediums, including oil, enamel, spray paint, and collage. In addition to painting, Martinez constructs three-dimensional sculptures by combining and casting scavenged objects in bronze, resulting in exuberant forms that echo the dynamism of his canvases.

Martinez’s practice draws deeply from the history of painting, referencing movements such as CoBrA, action painting, and the late work of Philip Guston. His approach is equally informed by personal experience, with imagery reflecting his nomadic childhood spent moving between regions of the United States. In 2024, Martinez represented the Republic of San Marino at La Biennale di Venezia with Nomader, an exhibition curated by Alison M. Gingeras. He also held major solo exhibitions at Space K in Seoul, the Parrish Art Museum in New York, and has previously exhibited at the Yuz Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, the Bronx Museum, and the Drawing Center in New York.

Through his vivid, pop culture-infused visual language, Martinez has forged a distinctive place in contemporary art, bridging historical reference and raw expression. His works are held in numerous public and private collections worldwide, and his evolving practice continues to push the boundaries of painting and sculpture today.