Emilio Adan Martinez, Cuban Artist Emilio Martinez Untitled 1

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Emilio Adan Martinez was born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, in 1954. In 1961 at the age of six he immigrated to … Read more Emilio Adan Martinez was born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, in 1954. In 1961 at the age of six he immigrated to Miami with his family. He earned his BFA from Florida International University in 1995. As a child, Martinez was always making art– creating toys, sculptures and other pieces from the humblest of found objects. With the Cuban revolution came strife, separation and finally flight. Martinez, who has but few memories of that time, recalls very distinctly his grandfather preparing a bomb shelter adjacent to the family property in Las Villas. Images of trenches, tunnels, and caves – with the one spot of daylight coming from above – find expression in his work even today. Though originally known for his heavy sculptural pieces that pair the warmest of wood with the coldest of metal, Martinez is currently exploring other media including paper, string, paint and pine branches. These light, floating pieces bring to mind kites and boats and travel – from the earthbound to the unbound, from the ephemeral to the eternal. An installation of these pieces, titled “Andan Volando,” is currently on view at Miami International Airport, Concourse D, in Miami, Florida. Emilio Adan Martinez’s work can be found in public and private collections throughout the United States and Europe. See less