Portfolio Review: Patrick Martinez

LA-based Patrick Martinez is no stranger to hip-hop. His earliest jobs found him art directing Concentrated Entertainment and providing album covers for the likes of Stones Throw. After completing his BA in Fine Art at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Martinez began to blend his hip-hop roots with a unique approach to tackling social issues.

Sure, Martinez made a splash with a recent neon work titled "Less Drake, More Tupac," but don't for a second think he's a one-trick-pony.

Martinez took some time to walk us through his career highlights.

"Known Gallery Neon Installation"

Neon, 2011.

"This is an installation I put together for my solo show at Known Gallery this past March. I didn't have a plan for the layout or install, but I knew I wanted to clutter the pieces together to try and achieve a feeling of overstimulation along with a symphony of color. Similar to what you might find in some store windows in many cities across America. These pieces are inspired by neons in window store fronts advertising special services specifically in Los Angeles (on Whittier blvd. in East. L.A., and in parts of Lincoln Heights and Highland Park), though I obviously changed the messaging."

"Break Yourself!" The Go Getters

Silk Screen Print on Polyurethane Foam, 2009.

"This is a recession remix of the #1 foam fingers commonly worn on the hands of fans at football, basketball and baseball games. I like playing with the hard and soft subject matter and materials / mediums."

"Garden Thug Water Fountain”

Bronze, Clear Resin, and Flowers, 2010-2011.

"When I was first putting this piece together, in my head and in sketch form, I was thinking that it would be a bronze statue. A few days later it evolved into a water fountain statue. Again, it is a play on the hard and soft. There is a contradiction with this piece. Guns take many lives everyday, but in this case it's helping produce life with the water shooting from the barrels, drenching the surrounding flowers. These are things I love to play with. This piece took over one year to complete. Special thanks to David Kawano with his help on this project."

"Hate and Love"

Mixed Media on Acrylic Plex and Neon, 48" x 40", 2011

"This piece is a portrait of a friend from my past. We grew up together in my old neighborhood. Earlier this year he was telling me about constantly breaking up and getting back together with his girlfriend. Definitely a "Love/Hate relationship" He also loves conflict and confrontations. "

"Moms and Pops"

Mixed Media on Acrylic Plex Panel and Neon, 2010.

"A portrait of my mother and my father, inspired by the current recession. They are always on that paper chase, especially these days."

"Fresh Produce"

Mixed Media on Acrylic Pled Panel and Neon, 2010.

"Fresh Produce is one of the first pieces where I painted directly onto the acrylic plastic pled backing of the neon and then built the neon ontop of the painting. This piece is inspired by food and diet in the cities across America."

"Cake"

Neon, 2011.

"Inspired by a bakery I drove by in West Los Angeles and paired with the hustle of almost everyone in America, which is fueled by the recession."

"Less is More"

Neon, 2011.

"This piece was inspired by debates I overheard at parties about the best MC in hip-hop. A 20 year old kid said "Drake is the truth, Tupac is Lame." At that moment I saw the generation gap. Drake saw the piece at Known Gallery and purchased it for his collection in Toronto. I think it's very cool of him to view the piece objectively."

"Advance to the Next Level of the Game"

Mixed Media on Panel, 2010.

"A portrait of my brother. This piece is about his hopes, wishes for the future and getting a job just after being released from Folsom State Prison in California, following four years of incarceration."

"Arizona Wetbacks, a Racist Republicans x Arizona Collaboration"

Custom Logo Designs, Embroidery, Mexican Blanket Pattern and Acrylic on a Bootleg New Era Cap, 2010.

"I created this hat to show the connection between the racist republicans that run the "Arizona Diamondbacks" (a major league baseball team) and how they are helping to push the Arizona SB1070 law by generous funding. I re-named the team "Arizona Wetbacks," because I believe it’s a better fit given the racist actions the owners are taking with the SB1070 bill. I created three hats for the three players on the Diamondbacks of latin decent (Juan Guitterez, Gerardo Parra, and Rodrigo Lopez), who are celebrated on the field then asked for their papers when they leave it.

This bill is a step backwards in terms of progression. It is also a giant slap in the face to the many people that fought for equal rights in the past as well as the present. The SB1070 law has the feeling of the beginning stages of apartheid. This bill should be stopped. Arizona is down with the brown, fo-real."