JAMES MARTIN | TAMING THE SQUARE MUSHROOM
Taming the Square Mushroom, gouache on paper, 20 x 20 inches
Working primarily with gouache on brown paper, and sometimes additions such as ink, graphite, charcoal, or collage, James Martin’s figurative scenes are at first glance humorous, with a myriad of characters from parrots, fish, and monkeys to Shakespeare, Picasso, mermaids, and pilots. A closer read reveals how ingenious the artist is, often utilizing the most subtle visual word play, and veering headlong into topics that without his deft hand may feel weighty. Martin's exhibition Taming the Square Mushroom showcases the gallery's current collection, with over 100 works of art on display.
The Great Pickle Mystery, gouache on paper, 13 x 15.5 inches
Martin's paintings are shown across the Northwest, including Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA; Henry Art Gallery, Seattle, WA; and Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, WA. James Martin is also the subject of Sheila Farr’s 2001 monograph, James Martin: Art Rustler at the Rivoli. His work is in collections including Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, WA; the Museum of Northwest Art, La Conner, WA; and the University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Foster/White Gallery has represented James Martin for nearly four decades.
James Martin passed away on December 15, 2020. He was 92.