Narsiso Martinez
Exhibition Supreme Fresh
May 18 - July 1, 2023
Opening Reception: “First Thursday,” June 1, 6-8pm
Artist talk: “Saturday After”, June 3 at noon
Greg Kucera Gallery is excited to announce our first exhibition, Supreme Fresh, by Long Beach, CA based, Oaxacan artist, Narsiso Martinez. Drawn from his own experiences as a farmworker, Martinez creates drawings, prints and mixed media installations that pay homage to the people behind the scenes in the agricultural economy who toil in the fields picking the produce we consume. His subjects are depicted in the gear they wear to perform this necessary, but dangerous, job. Hats and goggles are worn to shield them from the sun. Masks and bandanas cover their mouths and noses to protect them from pesticides.
Installation view of Supreme Fresh, 2022
Martinez creates his images in ink, gouache, and charcoal, directly on discarded produce boxes. Integrating the boxes’ graphics into the composition, the artist gives context to the portraits, contrasting the disparities of socioeconomic lifestyles between that of the farm workers and agribusiness owners.
Work in exhibition
Ink, charcoal and matte gel on artichoke box
40 x 44 inches
SOLD