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Artist Statement:
The place where we are born
and grow up has an attraction
and a mystic effect on our
psyche and souls. Even if one
chooses not to go back home
the choice in itself is
subject to the knowledge that
there is a home to go back to.
Being able to make that choice
gives one peace, a sense of
belonging and refuge. Home to
me is Maraguez. My memories of
this place are still with me.
In my paintings I attempt to
capture a bit of Maraguez full
of folklore, myth,
spirituality and beauty.
Maraguez gave way to a dam
and is now under water. It has
returned to the womb of nature
and someday it will be born
again. In the meantime I
cannot return home. Now it
lives in my memories, soul and
my heart. I can only remember
the sound of the trees being
caressed by the tropical winds
and disrupting the night's
eternal silence. Our house,
surrounded by mountains and
dense vegetation, become a
stage dressed in the glitter
of shining stars in the pitch
black sky. My grandfather's
violin accompanies the melody
of the river flowing in our
backyard; my grandmother sings
...
Further Information
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Artist Galleries:
Coming Soon!
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Artist Reviews:
Coming Soon!
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Collections:
Coming Soon!
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Commissions:
Coming Soon!
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Exhibitions for Oscar Martinez:
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Selected Exhibitions
1999
September: The Loggia Gallery, Fourth and Second Presbyterian Church, "With Many Voices-A Celebration of Cultural Diversity," Chicago.
Frick Center Founder Gallery, "Mirrors, Michele Tuohey and Oscar Martinez" Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Illinois
March: UCE Foyer Art Exhibits Gallery, Unitarian Church of Evanston, Illinois
1998
June: Earth Works Gallery, Group exhibition, Chicago
September: "Mirrors" Husband and Wife exhibition at Miami Dade Community College North Campus’ Gallery in Miami, Florida
1997
March: "Inner Journey", Group exhibition at the Northwestern University Settlement House Gallery, Chicago
January: "Addendum: More Chicago Artists", Northern Illinois University Art Museum Gallery in Chicago, curated by Peggy Doherty and Corey Postigione
1996
October: "Visual Fusion", Field Museum, Chicago
"Hot", R.H. Love Contemporary Art Gallery, Chicago
January: "Figures", Northern Illinois University Art Museum Gallery in Chicago
1995
October: "Dias de los Muertos" Juried show at NWAC Art Gallery, Chicago
September: "Latino Artist in Chicago and the Calumet Region", Jury Show, Northern Indiana Arts Association William J. Bachman Gallery in Indiana
"Dissolving the Figure", Boeger Fine Arts Gallery, Triton College
National City Bank group show, Indiana
April: "Valiente", Jury show Puerto Rican artists exhibition: Northern Illinois University Gallery in Dekalb, NWAC Gallery and South Shore Cultural Center Gallery in Chicago
January: "Figurative Work" David Adler Cultural Center, Libertyville Illinois
"Archeology of the Mind" Columbia College Arts Gallery, Chicago
Brichell Business Center Group Show, Miami Florida
1994
September: Des Plaines Museum, Des Plaines
August: College of Lake County, Community Arts Gallery, Grayslake
May: ARC Gallery Midwest Regional Jury Exhibition, Beryl Wright, Juror, Associate Curator Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago
1993
October: Triton Arts Gallery, "Triad of Harmonic Complexity" three person exhibit, River Grove
June: Gallery of The America's, Milwaukee Wisconsin
1992
December: "1st Latin American Masters Exhibition of Miniatures" Gary Nader Fine Arts Gallery, Florida
October: Noyes Gallery, Evanston
September: Hucking Gallery, Columbia College, Chicago
July: "Sun/Expressions" Group Exhibit, Prospectus Gallery, Chicago
June: Evanston Arts Center Vicinity Jury Exhibition: Roy Shale, President of the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Juror-Cash Prize
June: Botello Gallery Collective Exhibition, Puerto Rico
Gary Nader Fine Arts Gallery Collective Exhibition
February: "Face to Face, Self Portrait by Chicago Artists", Greg Knight-curator, Chicago Cultural Center
January: "Fragments of the Soul" Solo Exhibition -Prospectus Gallery, Chicago
Miami Art Exposition, Gary Nader Fine Arts Gallery
1991
April: Solo Exhibition at the President's Gallery, Chicago State University
October: "Void of Divine Silence "Solo Exhibition at Venzor Gallery Chicago
Group Exhibition at Jan Cicero Gallery, Chicago
1989
State of Illinois Museum, Springfield Illinois
Cross Currents Gallery, Chicago
State of Illinois Gallery: "Contemporary Puerto Rican Artists," Traveling Exhibition
Venzor Gallery, Collective Exhibition
Illini Union Gallery, "Versions of Reality" Solo Exhibition/ Champaign, Illinois
1988
"Latino Expressions" Illinois Bell, Chicago
Crane Gallery Solo Exhibition, Chicago
Illinois Bell Gallery, Collective Exhibition
Biannual Iberoamericana Jury Exhibition at Bellas Artes Mexico D.F.
1987
Montgomery Ward Gallery, "Figurative Abstractions: Latin American Paintings", Chicago
Prairie Avenue Gallery, Chicago
Nicole Gallery, Chicago
Artemisia Gallery, Chicago
Fantastic Color Exhibition, Chicago
Harris Bank Gallery, Chicago
Campanile Gallery, Chicago
College of Lake County Gallery, Grayslake Illinois
1986
Chicago International Art Exposition, Navy Pier Chicago
National Museum of Mexico, Mexico D.F.
Noyes Gallery, Evanston Illinois
Harris Bank Gallery, Chicago
Back to the top
Curatorial Work
1994-Triton College Exhibition, Chicago
1987-Fantastic Color Exhibition, Chicago
1986-Harris Bank Hispanic Exhibition
1986-Group 12 Exhibition, Chicago
Bibliography
2000
University of Chicago Press, "Chicago Murals: An Historical Guide," by Mary L. Gray, University of Chicago Press
1999
Arena Cultural/La Raza Newspaper, article by Marcia E. Gawecki, Front Page, November, 1999
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
Dutton Publisher, "Toward a Peoples Art," by Eva Cockroft, John Weber and James Cockcroft
Nelson Hall Publisher, "Diversity and Unity," cover painting
1996
Claridad, review by Egberto Almenas-Rosa, "A Historical Perspective", Puerto Rico
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
Catalog essay by Edward Maldonado, "Valiente," Associate Curator for the Department of Cultural Affairs, 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
1994
La Raza Newspaper supplement of the Chicago Sun Times Newspaper, "Arqueologia de la Mente, un Arte" by Leticia Espinosa
1993
Pioneer Press Newspaper, "Magic Realism bewitches Lake County" review by Michael Bonesteel, Assistant Editor
1992
Illinois Quarterly, "Painting Windows for the Mind" by Carla Beecher
Crain's Chicago Business, "Art: Editors Choice"
The Columbia College Chronicle
Chicago Artist' News, Cover
1991
Chicago Suntimes "Celebs" by Bob Herguth
At Chicago, "Illusion Versus Reality, Truth," by Gwen Osborne
Linea, University of Illinois at Champaign, "Versiones de la Realidad," by E.A.
Chicago State University Newspaper, "Puerto Rico: Theme of Martinez's Work"
Hector Perez Production, "Divine Revelations," Video narrated by Ray Suarez
1989
Chicago Tribune, "Gallery Scene" by David McCracken
Latin American Art Magazine, "Contemporary Puerto Rican Artists" by Mary Sherma
"Contemporary Puerto Rican Artist," Catalog essay by Ilana Vardy/Curator and Susana Tudela-Leval
1988
Catalog, "Latino Expressions Exhibition", Illinois Bell, Chicago
Back to the top
Selected Lectures and Presentations
University of Illinois at Chicago, 1987 and 1977
University of Illinois at Champaign, 1980, 1985, 1986, and 1989
Columbia College, 1993, 1994. And 1995
College of Lake County, 1994
Northwestern University's Settlement, 1997
Triton College, 1995
Chicago State University, 1991
Prospectus Gallery, 1992
Harris Bank, 1986
National Museum of Mexico, DF, 1986
Commissions
1996- McCormick Convention Complex Art Collection, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, Chicago: "Nature’s Symphony", 75"x 100"
1997- City of Chicago, Department of Health-painting
1980- Nuestro Directorio-painting
1978,79- Puerto Rican Parade Committee-poster
1975- Puerto Rican Parade Committee-poster
1976- Chicago Mural Group-mural
1978- "Social Problems" by Kenneth Henry PhD, book back and front cover-painting
1975- City of Chicago, Department of Planning-painting
1976- University of Illinois at Champaign-mural
1975- Humboldt Park YMCA-mural
1874- Festival Boricua-painting
1974- Chicago Mural Group-mural
1973- Chicago Mural Group-mural
Awards/ Recognition's
1997- McCormick Place Purchase Award: McCormick Convention Complex Art Collection, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, Chicago
1996-Pepsi Cola Community Leadership Award
1995-Department of Cultural Affairs Visual Arts Grant
1994-National Trust for Historic Preservation Scholarship recipient
1993-Who is Who in Hispanic America
1993-Illinois Arts Council Visual Arts Grant.
1992-Department of Cultural Affairs Visual Arts Grant
1992-Evanston Cultural Center Vicinity Award
1991-Department of Cultural Affairs Visual Arts Grant
1991-Chicago Jaycees Outstanding Citizen Award.
1991-Brightened Award for leadership and contributions to the City of Chicago.
1990-Who is Who in America
1989-Aspira Inc. of Illinois Leadership Award.
1988-Tribute to Oscar Martínez, Illinois Bell and Mayor Eugene Sawyer
1986-Leadership Greater Chicago Fellowship Award
1978 and 1979 Museum of Science and Industry Hispanic Art Exhibition-first place award
1973-University of Illinois MOM’s Day Award for Academic Achievement
1972-1975- University of Illinois Dean’s List for Academic Award and scholarship
Back to the top
Education
1975-77 University of Illinois
at the Medical Center, Chicago
Bachelor of Science in Medical Art and Communications. Five Year Curriculum.
Trained to work in a variety of health sciences settings. Gained knowledge in translating and visually communicating information to other health care professionals, patients and the general public. Training included maxillofacial prosthetics, graphic design, illustration techniques, photography, 3-D model design and techniques, display and exhibit formats, surgical illustration, audio visual media development and business practices.
1972-75 University of Illinois at Champaign
Art and Science Curriculum.
Pre-Medical Illustration curriculum in the areas of science and art including human physiology, anatomy, zoology, embryology, life drawing, graphic design, photography, sculpture, art, human anatomy, and art history.
1986-87 Leadership Greater Chicago
The goal of the program is to enhance the quality of leadership in the Chicago Metropolitan area. The program exposed participants to issues, communities, leaders, diverse perspectives and promoted a lifelong commitment of personal leadership to the future of the Chicago area.
Employment Experience
1980 Associate Director
University of Illinois at Chicago
College of Dentistry, Urban Health Program.
Responsible for the recruitment, retention, and advising of students entering through the Urban Health Program-an academic program which supports under represented students. Job entails management of the campus wide program, creating policies, developing programmatic initiatives, counseling and implementing various programs for Urban Health students to facilitate their academic success and personal advancement at different educational levels. Design and write, brochures, posters and other recruitment materials. Plan and implemented conferences, seminars and workshops. Chaired special committees, participated on boards of not for profits to foster positive community relations and participated in strategic planning, budget development of the program and represented the college at local and national conferences related to the program. Served in the Chancellors Committee on Latino Affairs and the Urban Health Management Board.
1979-80 Assistant Director
University of Illinois at Chicago
College of Dentistry, Urban Health Program.
Assisted the Assistant Dean and Director of the program in recruitment and retention activities, as well as the development and implementation of new programs to increase the diversity of the student body. Responsible for assisting in state wide programs to promote greater awareness and opportunities in the health professions.
1976-78 Curator
Anatomy Museum
University of Illinois at the Medical Center, College of Medicine.
Assisted the director in specimen preparations, conservation and impressions for their use in exhibits, graphic design, exhibit design, illustrations, photography and displays of traveling exhibits and museum presentations.
1975 Director
YMCA’s Humboldt Park Cultural Center
Created and directed the implementation of arts programming for young people that included music, silk screen, photography, design and drawing classes. Also managed the staff and arts instructors.
Selected Associations
Present:
President and Founder of the Latin American Museum of Art
South Shore Cultural Center Advisory Board
Advisory Board member of Arts Education in Illinois, appointed by Governor Edgar
3rd District Economic Development Group
Past:
President Emeritus of the Latino Institute, President 1989-92. Board Member 1979-95
Chicago Harold Washington Library's Art Collection Selection Committee
Appointed by Governor James Thompson to the Illinois Arts Council: Chairman of Media Arts and member to the Legislation Committee
Board Member Sculpture Chicago
Chicago Artist Coalition Advisory Board Member
Appointed by the Mayor of Chicago to the Department of Cultural Affairs Advisory Board, Executive Committee
Assessor Iberoamericana Biennal of Bellas Artes, Mexico
State of Illinois Public Arts Advisory Committee
Juror: International Design/Build International Competition for the Chicago Public Library named the Harold Washington Library)
Advisory Committee: Cuba/USA Exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art
President of the Latino Chicago Theater, 1988-90
Illinois Arts Alliance Board, 1986-90
City of Chicago Sister Cities Committee, Executive Committee
Committee of Honor, "Viciones del Pueblo: The Folk Art of Latin America" at the Field Museum of Chicago-Ford Motor Company
Board Member of United Way of Chicago, Allocations Committee & Appeals Committee Chicago
Percentage for the Arts Committee
Additional Information
1990-97 Latin American Museum of Art
Founder and President of a not for profit museum that will be housed in an historical landmark structure. Our goal is to create a museum and cultural institution that is international in scope, while addressing the needs of the local, regional, and national communities. As a result of my efforts and volunteers our organization has successfully completed a $3.6 million capital campaign to fund the exterior restoration of our future home. The Latin American Museum of Art (LAMA) is unique in that it will be the only combined Latino museum and cultural center in the nation that encompasses all Latino cultures.
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