Draft:Ernest J. T. Martin

Ernest J. T. Martin (July 5, 1927—October 2, 2015) was an American abstract expressionist painter, author, inventor, bullfighter and martial artist. He had a prolific career spanning over eight decades, from the 1930s until his death.

Early Life And Artistic Beginnings
Martin was born in Roanoke, Virginia in 1927. His father was William Knox Martin, pioneer of aviation, painter and journalist. His mother, Isabel Maria Vieco Martin, was from Colombia and also was an accomplished artist. Martin’s other brother, Samuel Morris Martin was killed escaping from a Japanese prison camp in WW II. Ernest Martin and his older brother Knox Martin were both artists. Knox, who was already established in the field, provided mentorship to Ernest early in his career.

Martin showed exceptional artistic talent from a very young age. In 1934, at seven years old, he had his first solo exhibition of paintings and drawings at Public School 169 in New York City. This early success earned him a life scholarship from philanthropists to study art.

After serving in World War II, Martin attended the Art Students League of New York in the late 1940s, where he explored abstract expressionism with other painters including Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, and Lee Krasner.

Abstract Expressionist Period
In 1946-47, the renowned art collector Solomon R. Guggenheim acquired several of Martin's abstract paintings and drawings for his personal collection. In 1956, James Johnson Sweeny, then Director of the Guggenheim Museum, acquired several of Martin’s works for the museum.

Martin became part of the influential abstract expressionist movement centered around the Cedar Tavern in New York. His early works from this period demonstrate the bold colors, energetic brushwork and exploration of pure abstraction characteristic of the avant-garde style.

Bullfighting and Global Influences
In the 1950s, Martin's life took an unexpected turn when he became a professional matador in Mexico, Spain, Portugal and France under the name "El Gitano" (The Gypsy). His paintings of bullfights from this decade capture the intense movements and metaphoric imagery of this ancient ritual.

This experience sparked Martin's interest in indigenous art and ancient civilizations. He extensively studied pre-Colombian art across Mexico, Central and South America, incorporating these spiritual symbols and themes into his vivid, mystical abstract canvases.

In 1954, Martin had a major [solo exhibition] at the prestigious Musée des Beaux-Arts in Nimes, France—one of the first American artists showcased at this venerable national museum. The show was arranged by his friend Pablo Picasso and art historian Douglas Cooper.

Later Career and Catalystic Art
In his later decades, Martin synthesized all his global cultural influences, spiritual studies and life experiences into a unique artistic philosophy he termed "Catalystic Art." These highly metaphoric recent works from 1976-2015 aimed to "event the truth of the spirit”, and awaken the viewer through his alchemical use of color, texture, and symbolic imagery.

Over his 81-year career as a painter, Martin produced an extensive body of work reflecting his individualistic creative vision and multi-disciplinary talents as a writer, martial artist, inventor and more. Despite avoiding the commercial gallery system, he had solo exhibitions internationally and paintings acquired by major museums, including the Guggenheim.

Martin's life story and artistic manifesto continue to generate scholarly interest, with efforts underway to properly archive and showcase his creative achievements. More information can be found at the Ernest Martin website

See Also:
—America Martin website—Martin’s daughter and fine artist

—Knox Martin—Martin’s older brother and an abstract expressionist painter