The Goldmark Cultural Center is proud to present “My People”, a pop-up exhibition featuring new sculptural works by Goldmark artist Nan Martin. “My People” is on display in the Goldmark Artists’ Showcase from 1 June 2023 until 18 June 2023, with an opening reception on Saturday, 10 June 2023 from 1.00 - 3.00pm. Nan will be present at the reception to respond to questions or comments about her work.
About the Exhibition
I sculpted in ceramics, wire, steel, and concrete for years exploring life’s hardships, joys, and complexities. I hoped to touch an emotional chord and elicit self-reflective moments in those who see my work.
I find myself coming full circle in a world drenched in fear, hate and rage. I seek the whimsical, soft, colorful world of textiles to soothe life’s hard realities. It is my attempt to soften humanity one stitch at a time.
About the Artist
My earliest creative influences come from my French mother who was a painter and my Parisian grandmother who was a clothing designer and seamstress. As a child I watched my grandmother sewing for clients in Hollywood on her treadle sewing machine as I played with her vast button collection. I started sewing when I was 12, making my own clothes throughout high school and later for my children.
I obtained a B.S. degree in clothing and textiles and later obtained an M.A. in sculpture. For years I worked in clay, sculpting the human form, and I was featured on HGTV’s Modern Masters series in 2007.
My wire figures had roots in the mid-1990s after I was encouraged to take a sculpture class while struggling with a family tragedy. Daniel Sellers, a Collin College sculpture professor at the time, had a powerful influence on my early work.
For years, I gravitated toward the hardness of wire, steel, and cement to express my artistic view of life’s difficulties. My work continues to evolve.
In 2022 I began experimentation incorporating textiles into my wire and cement forms. Sewing is my homage to Lucienne Boutonnet Olmiccia, my grandmother, who sailed to this country after WW2 from Casa Blanca, Morocco, then a French colony. My textile work explores the softer, whimsical side of human experience.