Brazilian Artist Arjan Martins Presents First U.S. Solo Exhibition in New York

Brazilian painter Arjan Martins, born in 1960 in Rio de Janeiro, is currently holding his inaugural solo exhibition in the United States in New York. The show features recent figure paintings and portraits on canvas. Martins, recognized as a significant figure in contemporary Brazilian art, has developed a unique visual approach over more than thirty years. His practice draws on shared memories to create artworks that exist beyond conventional chronological frameworks. The exhibition precedes a forthcoming solo presentation scheduled at ICA Milano from June 11 to July 24, 2026. Martins' artistic exploration engages with the concept of the 'Black Atlantic,' a framework linked to scholar Paul Gilroy. Through maritime imagery, his work examines the historical transatlantic slave trade and traces the continuing impact of the African diaspora. His paintings construct blended settings that combine cityscapes, interior spaces, and seascapes, forming arenas of active cultural interaction. Musical themes appear throughout the exhibition as both depicted imagery and conceptual focus, referencing the transmission pathways of jazz and related Black musical traditions.