The Martin’s 2022 Represented Artist Jennifer Warren is one of only two artists this year to have an entire space takeover for a solo exhibition. Her showcase MATTERS OF THE DARK will encompass several bodies of work including The Original Women, NFT paintings, a specialized print shop and more.

On September 24th we will celebrate the run of Jennifer’s exhibition with a closing night reception from 6-9pm in The Martin. RSVP for free!

Not able to attend the closing but want to collect a work? Check out the exhibition HERE.

Catch dinner at Split-Rail before the show and stay for a cocktail in Dorothy (21+) afterwards.

The Martin (+ Split-Rail & Dorothy) requires proof of vaccination upon entry. There will be a card-only bar available for purchase in The Martin.

ABOUT THE SHOW [FROM THE ARTIST]:

“I created these works with the intent to develop a gift and with the purpose of giving that gift away. The Original Women paintings are a celebration of my relationship with those women and an expression of my love for each of them.

In addition to this series being a shrine to these important women in my life, the full body of work has gravity in Afrofuturism. A genre I have unconsciously drifted into.

I am often asked why my paintings look so different. I like to keep myself open to exploration and sidestep stereotypes by shifting my practice between surrealism, abstraction, and portraiture.

My artwork is for everyone but especially for people who look like me and can see themselves being celebrated in my paintings. Black life is beautiful and full of grace and mystery. I want my audience to feel that.”

ABOUT THE ARTIST [FROM THE ARTIST]:

“For me, creating art is a transformative practice that is necessary for self exploration and acceptance. I am primarily a self-taught artist and I paint because I find it to be enormously therapeutic and rewarding.

As a black woman artist, I never want to be stereotyped or put into a box as I will always give myself the freedom to shift my focus between different mediums and subjects, real or abstract.

I began oil painting my junior year in college after signing up to spend a semester in Aix-en-Provence, France at the Marchutz School. At that point, I had only dabbled with acrylic paint. I didn’t know the love that I would eventually develop for oil painting.

The semester that I spent in Aix was life altering. I felt like a door had opened and I was becoming acquainted with my true self and purpose. At Marchutz, much of the formal studies that we did were based on how to see the world from a painter’s perspective with a particular focus on classical impressionism.

Over the next decade I continued to keep my passion for oil painting close. I have taught myself new techniques, moved my studio across the country from Seattle to Chicago, shifted my focus between different genres, dabbled in NFTs, gained representation with the Martin Gallery, exhibited at The Other Art Fair, worked with galleries and clients internationally, received the 35 under 35 Rising Star award from Saatchi Art, elevated my business and made my art collectible by producing limited edition prints.

As an artist, I believe I get to build my own path and provide a beautiful experience for others that is both healing, thought provoking.”

ABOUT THE SPACE

The Martin is an artist-first full service creative space in operation since 2018. Founded & Curated by Whitney LaMora, The Martin has been a home for over 450 public events since it’s launch on North Avenue. The Martin proudly represents Damiane Nickles & Jennifer Warren as exclusive artists for 2022.

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Tags: Chicago, Jennifer Warren, Matters of the Dark, The Martin, West Town