Martine Johanna exhibited in ‘Format Neon’ at Massey Lyuben Gallery

Wed, Mar 2 - Sat, Apr 9  2016

Massey Lyuben Gallery

Martine Johanna’s painting presented in a group exhibition, Format Neon, at Massey Luyben gallery, from March 2 until April 9.

Martine Johanna’s acrylic paintings on Belgian linen and wooden panels, Happy Days, 1988, Control 1, and Control 2 are bright, hyper-saturated neon works that explore the duality between youthful naivety and anxiety-riddled adulthood. Five female figures crowd the compositions and occupy the majority of the space. Their torsos are brightly colored and each has her hand, or hands, prominently displayed as a point of focus. The women hold celebrated objects from youth – a sweet, smiling lollipop, a melting ice cream cone, exploding confetti – yet gaze distractedly into an ominous future. The paintings are visually stimulating and cheeky while expressing an underlying sense of uncertainty and unrest.

About Martine Johanna

Martine Johanna is a a Dutch contemporary Artist who lives and works in Amsterdam. Martine’s art is characterized by exploring the boundaries between illustration and contemporary figurative painting; there are familiar style elements to her work, mixed-in with more abstract elements and compositions. The work consists of imaginary characters with a stylistic nod to fashion and a great eye for detail. The mostly female figures are depicted in a surreal environment or are isolated in their thoughts. Both on canvas, wood or paper the works contain a complex intriguing feminine energy that makes you stop and enthrall you in their illusiveness.

Happy Days, 2016
Acrylic on Belgian linen, 72″ x 48″

Control 1, 2016
Acrylic on board, 31.5″ x 23.5″