Subliminal Projects is pleased to present THE FUTURE, a site-specific installation, and a series of new works by multidisciplinary artist Shantell Martin

EXHIBITION DATES | MAY 7 – JUNE 4

SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS | 1331 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 | Subliminalprojects.com

Shantell Martin’s artwork surfs lyrically with lines that are beautiful, playful, and spontaneous individually, but become a stunningly composed symphony in their intertwined presentation. Martin’s use of line and language as a way to conjure a sense of relationship and connection functions like a Rorschach test, but is a much more elegant use of black ink, the primary tool. Martin’s art is often physically interactive, but it is always psychologically interactive by engaging the viewer’s sense of relationship and possibility.

– Shepard Fairey

Known for her signature black and white drawings, Martin’s work investigates themes of intersectionality, identity, and play. Through her continual exploration of the spontaneous hand-drawn line, Martin facilitates new connections between fine art, design, education, philosophy, technology, and the reciprocal relationship between artist and viewer, in which a work of art is more than an object of admiration. 

I hope to inspire us to look deep, converse deeper, support, protect, empower, connect, and value art and the artists who dedicate their life to their craft, in honor of the past, in reflection of the present, and in hope for a better future. 

– Shantell Martin

Creating and appreciating art is uniquely intrinsic to the human experience. However, the cultural value of art has evolved under the weight of societal classism, forcing us collectively to ask; What and who is art for? Unfortunately, we find that art is too often reserved for the privileged and historically excluded from the curriculum of underserved minority communities, leaving artists feeling disconnected from the very communities they seek to engage with. THE FUTURE is a plea to those who create, commodify and consume art to mindfully converse and question the intentions and true value of art. As we move further away from engaging in meaningful interactions, while also taking into account current global events and the challenges that humanity faces, the time for the future of art is NOW. 

ABOUT SHANTELL MARTIN

Shantell Martin is a visual artist, intuitive philosopher, cultural facilitator, teacher, choreographer, songwriter, performer, and more. Her practice continuously pushes the boundaries of creative expression through thoughtful, innovative collaborations with artists, cultural institutions such as The Whitney Museum Shop, NYC;  Denver Art Museum, Pulitzer Prize-winning performance artist Kendrick Lamar, acclaimed designer Kelly Wearstler, The Boston Ballet, and brands such as The North Face, Google Creative Labs, and B&B Italia.

ABOUT SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS

Subliminal Projects is a multi-functional project space and gallery established by Shepard Fairey and Blaize Blouin in 1995 as a way to introduce skateboard culture and design to the art world. The concept grew and found roots later in Los Angeles, at a time when many artists found themselves shut out by the “art scene.” Subliminal Projects emerged as a gallery that championed emerging and marginalized artists, built out of cultural importance to serve as a center for the community to openly express and spark dialogue about art, music, and activism. Now located in the historic neighborhood of Echo Park, Subliminal Projects continues to offer a platform for artistic exploration and innovation.         

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