ART BAZAAR FOR WORKER SOLIDarity

NARSISO MARTINEZ

How are you? How have you been coping with this pandemic/ quarantine? 

I'm doing okay. I've been reading and working in the studio.

What are you working on right now? 

I’m revising/completing a life-size full figure representing a farm worker. This time is someone who deals with chemicals (The weed Sprayer, 82 x 56”).
I'm thinking about the contrast between the toxic chemicals applied to the orchards and the, not only short, but also long term health related consequences of this practice and the prints on the produce boxes referring to the idea of organic products. 

Do you ever get stuck in your practice?  

Yeah, for sure. If you mean stuck on a drawing or idea, there are pieces that are "unfinished" because of this.

how do you unstuck? 

Well, I just stop working on it and move on to the next idea/project. There are so many blank canvases out there that need to be filled out.
If you mean as an artist, no. Not that I remember. I once heard at a MOCA panel discussion, artist and professor Fran Siegel saying something like this: “as artists, we need to get into the habit of everyday practice, even if we only draw a tiny line a day.” (i'm paraphrasing).

What made you wanna get involved in Art Bazaar for Worker Solidarity? 

To support our communities in times of need, and helping through art is a great idea.

How do you envision the art world post-pandemic?

I remain hopeful, and I want to believe that I will be able to see the real pieces and details out there in a museum and or gallery and not just digitally through a computer screen.