NOEL MARTIN
Paintings 1966 – 2006
April 20 – July 27, 2007
Carl Solway Gallery opened a new exhibition of Noel Martin paintings on April 20, 2007, the day after the acclaimed painter and graphic designer’s 85th birthday. Spanning four decades, 1966 – 2006, this exhibition featured 101 of his abstract paintings, establishing Martin’s significant place within the tradition of American Modernism.
For 60 years, Martin’s work has cast its influence on the worlds of graphic design and fine art. His impact on the visual culture of greater Cincinnati during the 20th century might be likened to that of Frank Duveneck’s during the 19th century. Celebrating the work of this Cincinnati treasure this year is not limited to one organization. In addition to the exhibition at Carl Solway Gallery, an installment of the series Graphic Content at the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) showcases the interrelationship between the artist’s design work and painting.
Born in Syracuse, Ohio in 1922, Martin moved to Cincinnati as a child. He attended the Art Academy of Cincinnati from 1939-41 and from 1945-47. He studied painting, drawing and printmaking. Upon completing his studies, he was immediately hired by the Cincinnati Art Museum (CAM) to design and prepare exhibitions. At the CAM, he taught himself graphic design and typography, becoming a strong force in a movement to visually transform museum catalogues into beautiful, avant-garde publications.
His reputation as a designer spread nationally and internationally as he attracted numerous prestigious corporate clients. He became the subject of numerous solo exhibitions, at venues such as the CAC (1954 and 1971), the Rhode Island School of Design (1955) and the Addison Gallery of American Art (1955). He was included in “Four American Graphic Designers” (1953) at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cincinnati Art Directors in 1989.
Landscape grid, 2002-2003, acrylic on canvas, each of the 20 x 16 inch
Column of circles & rectangles, 2005, acrylic on canvas, each of the 12 x 12 inch
Untitled, 2006, Acrylic on canvas, 28 x 22 in.
Many Points, 1966, Acrylic on canvas, 48 x 48 in.
Untitled, 2006, Acrylic on canvas, 48 x 24 in.
Grid of four, 2004, acrylic on canvas, each of the 12 x 24 in.
Untitled, 2006, Acrylic on canvas, 48 x 24 in.
Flexible English Curve, 1966, Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 18 in.
Scheme of Other Things, 1970, Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 40 in.
Grid of "circuit board" shapes, 2005-2006, acrylic on canvas, each of the 20 x 16 in.
Untitled, 1974, Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 30 in.
Untitled, 1967, Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 30 inches
Repeated Three Times, 1969, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 in., Depth Problem, 1971, Acrylic on canvas, 48 x 48 in., Overlapping Lines, 1972, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 22 in., Four by Four, 1969, Acrylic on canvas, 41 x 40.25 in., Three X’s, 1968, Acrylic on canvas, 8 x 48 in.
Grid of curved shapes, 1990-2006, acrylic on canvas, each of the 20 x 16 inch
Untitled, 2006, Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36 in.
Within the Border, 1972, Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 12 in.
Ixley, circa 1970, Acrylic on canvas, 10 x 30 in.
Big Shapes, 1970, Acrylic on canvas, 48 x 48 in.
Untitled, 2006, Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36 in.
False Math, 1966, Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 46 in.
Untitled, 1974, Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 30 in.
Untitled, 1975, Acrylic on canvas, 48 x 48 in.
Untitled, 2005, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 24 in.
Untitled, 2006, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 24 in.
Untitled, 2006, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 24 in.
Untitled, 2006, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 24 in.
Free Lines, 1967, Acrylic on canvas, 48.5 x 12 in., Untitled, 2006, Acrylic on canvas, 34.25 x 18 in., Untitled, 2005, Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 20 in., Untitled, circa 1970, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 30 in., Two Diamonds, 1966, Acrylic on canvas, 48.5 x 36 in., Untitled, 2005, Acrylic on canvas, 48 x 24 in., Untitled, 2005, Acrylic on canvas, 28 x 22 in.
Grid of diagonals, 2001-2006, acrylic on canvas, each of the 20 x 16 in.