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DALLAS - The Oak Cliff Cultural Center (OC3) is pleased to present artist Saxon Martinez’ Memoires opening on Jan. 20 with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m.
Oak Cliff native Saxon Martinez explores his identity through the lens of social constructs focusing on expectations and perceptions of family, culture, memory, and violence. Using the piñata’s “celebratory and destructive history” Martinez constructs narratives that go beyond preconceived expectations of ethnicity resulting in works that are at once familiar and enigmatic.
Growing up, piñatas were a fixture in much of Martinez’ life. In Memoires their distinctive features of overlapping fringed paper framed with cardboard surround “speak to the vibrancy and temporality of Martinez’ memories”. As wall mounted objects, the works reference intimate moments like photographs of family and the self, carrying a sense of “home and ambiguity”. These “physical manifestations of self-portraiture” are Martinez’ reflections on how experiences of labor, violence, trauma, social injustice and memory influence his identity.
Saxon Martinez has a Master of Fine Arts from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. His work has been included in exhibitions in Texas, Colorado, and most recently in Fermont, California at Sequoia University. He is a recipient of the Greater Denton Arts Council Micro Grant and was awarded a Juror Choice Award for his work in the 500X Gallery EXPO 2022 exhibition. His work has been featured in Glasstire’s Top Five in 2022 and in Under the Bridge Magazine. A native of Oak Cliff – Dallas, Texas, Saxon currently lives and works in Colorado.
Note to media: There will be availability for interviews and opportunity for B-roll. Please RSVP at the link here: forms.office.com/g/qRU56uX3UX
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