Chris Martin is a multidisciplinary installation artist that aims to convey stories with his work. He bases his infatuation with American Traditional Tattoo culture on his relationship to the Bay Area after moving here 8 years ago. ⁠

⁠Martin consumes music, books and documentaries to initiate his creative process. He whittles down those broad chronicles by commanding the techniques of tapestry design, installation, tattoo design, and illustration. His use of cotton, albeit a simple textile, adds a layer of complexity: “The meaning of my work conveys a narrative of the African diaspora and reclaiming cotton as a material of slavery that tells a story of slavery, freedom and spirituality.” Martin’s high-contrast work is created with a space in mind: “I very rarely have a bunch of work lying around that accumulates into a show of some sort. A lot of my art is somewhat site specific. I treat the venue that's provided as my canvas and will often make work that best fits the space.”⁠

⁠In recent news, Chris Martin designed a sail for his friend and has dabbled in music production. His work was coupled with the now open Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco. ⁠

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Feature Published: July 8, 2022
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