July 25, 2024 |
Having been born in Ghana and now living in the UK has given artist Koby Martin ample experience to translate into art. Rooting his practice in personal themes like identity, social and racial injustice, migration, family and memory, standing in front of a piece painted by Martin feels like a sneak peek into his soul. Primarily using acrylic and oil pastels, his incorporation of family photo albums and Ghanaian symbols ensures his work doesn’t feel two-dimensional, with an unmistakable cultural and personal depth that has garnered him a healthy following and industry respect. Having worked with big names such as J Hus, Wizkid and Wretch 32 as well as Nike, Adidas and Universal Music, Martin is a talent on the rise.
With yearly exhibitions since 2014, Martin is now bringing his distinctive style of work to the hallowed halls of Sarabande, where he is currently undergoing a one-year residency to further develop his practice. Entitled Drunk Minds Speak of Sober Times and running from today to July 29, the display explores the space between viewers and subjects. Using windows as a consistent feature in the works, Martin’s work invites onlookers to address topics of identity, origin and territory. Paying homage to artists like David Hockney, Felix Vallotton and Frank Bowling, it’s set to be a proud display of the upcoming creative’s considered and thought-provoking visual language.
Photography courtesy of Koby Martin. Discover more and purchase a ticket to Martin’s opening night here.
