Martha Rich on Confidence, Humor, and Political Art

Philadelphia-based artist Martha Rich, known for her playful animals and witty text, discusses her late-bloomer career and newfound confidence in a Hi-Fructose interview. Rich, who abandoned art in her twenties after being told she couldn't do it, returned after fifteen years of cubicle jobs and a divorce, attending art school and embracing illustration. Her work features hand-drawn phrases overheard in daily life, such as "This bar has lasagna" and "Trump always caves. Just say no." She recently showed at Hey There! Projects in Joshua Tree. Rich uses humor to address political issues, running for a local ward seat in 2016 and creating art to encourage voting. She donates a portion of proceeds to Juntos, an immigrant aid organization in Philadelphia. Rich cites influences like Margaret Kilgallen, Georganne Deen, and Esther Pearl Watson, and plans to participate in a group show in New Orleans in 2026. She is experimenting with new materials like metal, steel, and concrete.