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Art & Soul: Therapy provides artistic inspiration

Posted: June 14, 2014 - 10:35pm | Updated: June 15, 2014 - 12:01am

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"Redtails" by Kenneth Martin

By Allison Hersh

In 1965, Kenneth Martin was working as a welder at a Ford Motor Co. plant in Detroit when his

life took a tragic turn.

Coming home from work one day, the 22-year-old’s car hit a patch of oil on the freeway and

skidded, causing a catastrophic car accident. Martin was thrown from his vehicle and suffered

numerous injuries, including a devastating spinal cord injury that left him partially paralyzed.

During his recovery process, Martin discovered the therapeutic power of art, studying with

several different instructors who opened his eyes to a whole new creative world.

“After my accident, I had to redefine who I was and what I wanted to do,” he admits. “It was a

process. I began to see how art was a form of expression.”

He’s been painting ever since. Today, Martin serves as an art instructor at the VA Clinic on

Montgomery Crossroad, helping wounded warriors get in touch with their own creativity.

Martin recently completed a series of portraits of historic African-American figures, titled

“Agents of Change,” which is on display at the city of Savannah’s Gallery S.P.A.C.E. The solo

exhibit features several dozen oil paintings and two sculptures celebrating the power of the

human spirit to endure, persevere and triumph over adversity.

Portraits of historic Savannah figures like the Rev. Andrew Marshall, a pastor at First African

Baptist Church, and Mother Matilda Beasley, who founded the first home for African-American

nuns in Georgia, hang alongside paintings of iconic figures like 19th-century abolitionist

Frederick Douglass.

Martin also shines a spotlight on lesser-known achievers like Matthew Henson, the member of

Robert E. Peary’s legendary expedition who planted the American flag at the North Pole, and

Bessie Coleman, the world’s first black female aviator.

Martin admits he’s captivated by the human face.

“People’s faces are almost like a road map,” he says. “You can almost see their challenges on

their faces. Those scars and wrinkles say a lot about the inner person. I see a person’s victories

and triumphs in their faces.”

The painting in “Agents of Change” that best illustrates that philosophy is “Legacy,” a

monochromatic portrait of a nameless African-American man with a faraway look in his eyes.

His weathered face and stoic expression, painted in burnished shades of sienna and mahogany,

reflect a lifetime of struggle.

Even though “Agents of Change” showcases portraiture, Martin says he doesn’t consider

himself a portrait artist.

“I’m more representational,” he says. “I try to capture an essence of an attitude, rather than a

likeness.”

Whether he immortalizes the entrepreneurial pride of America’s first black millionaire, William

Alexander Leidesdorff Jr., or the survivalist drive of Jamaican slaves who fled to the mountains

and formed free communities that endure today, Martin celebrates the indomitable power of the

human spirit.

“I like people who overcome obstacles,” he admits. “I love watching movies like ‘Rocky’ and

‘Avatar.’ They encourage me and help me realize I’m not the first person with an obstacle to

overcome.”

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Kenneth Martin began his journey as an artist after a debilitating car accident in 1965. A welder

by trade, Martin took up painting as therapy during recovery, taking classes with a realistic

painter in Ann Arbor, Mich. He received additional instruction in classes at the Center for

Creative Studies in Detroit, Mich. Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Ferris

State University in Big Rapids, Mich. and has exhibited his paintings at Bagley Gallery in

Detroit and Red Piano Too Gallery on St. Helena Island, S.C.

IF YOU GO

What: “Agents of Change,” portraits by Kenneth Martin

Where: Gallery S.P.A.C.E. , 9 W. Henry St.

When: Through June 27

Gallery hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Cost: Free

Art & Soul: Therapy provides artistic inspiration

Posted: June 14, 2014 - 10:35pm | Updated: June 15, 2014 - 12:01am

Back | Next

"Mathew Henson" by Kenneth Martin

By Allison Hersh

In 1965, Kenneth Martin was working as a welder at a Ford Motor Co. plant in Detroit when his

life took a tragic turn.

Coming home from work one day, the 22-year-old’s car hit a patch of oil on the freeway and

skidded, causing a catastrophic car accident. Martin was thrown from his vehicle and suffered

numerous injuries, including a devastating spinal cord injury that left him partially paralyzed.

During his recovery process, Martin discovered the therapeutic power of art, studying with

several different instructors who opened his eyes to a whole new creative world.

“After my accident, I had to redefine who I was and what I wanted to do,” he admits. “It was a

process. I began to see how art was a form of expression.”

He’s been painting ever since. Today, Martin serves as an art instructor at the VA Clinic on

Montgomery Crossroad, helping wounded warriors get in touch with their own creativity.

Martin recently completed a series of portraits of historic African-American figures, titled

“Agents of Change,” which is on display at the city of Savannah’s Gallery S.P.A.C.E. The solo

exhibit features several dozen oil paintings and two sculptures celebrating the power of the

human spirit to endure, persevere and triumph over adversity.

Portraits of historic Savannah figures like the Rev. Andrew Marshall, a pastor at First African

Baptist Church, and Mother Matilda Beasley, who founded the first home for African-American

nuns in Georgia, hang alongside paintings of iconic figures like 19th-century abolitionist

Frederick Douglass.

Martin also shines a spotlight on lesser-known achievers like Matthew Henson, the member of

Robert E. Peary’s legendary expedition who planted the American flag at the North Pole, and

Bessie Coleman, the world’s first black female aviator.

Martin admits he’s captivated by the human face.

“People’s faces are almost like a road map,” he says. “You can almost see their challenges on

their faces. Those scars and wrinkles say a lot about the inner person. I see a person’s victories

and triumphs in their faces.”

The painting in “Agents of Change” that best illustrates that philosophy is “Legacy,” a

monochromatic portrait of a nameless African-American man with a faraway look in his eyes.

His weathered face and stoic expression, painted in burnished shades of sienna and mahogany,

reflect a lifetime of struggle.

Even though “Agents of Change” showcases portraiture, Martin says he doesn’t consider

himself a portrait artist.

“I’m more representational,” he says. “I try to capture an essence of an attitude, rather than a

likeness.”

Whether he immortalizes the entrepreneurial pride of America’s first black millionaire, William

Alexander Leidesdorff Jr., or the survivalist drive of Jamaican slaves who fled to the mountains

and formed free communities that endure today, Martin celebrates the indomitable power of the

human spirit.

“I like people who overcome obstacles,” he admits. “I love watching movies like ‘Rocky’ and

‘Avatar.’ They encourage me and help me realize I’m not the first person with an obstacle to

overcome.”

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Kenneth Martin began his journey as an artist after a debilitating car accident in 1965. A welder

by trade, Martin took up painting as therapy during recovery, taking classes with a realistic

painter in Ann Arbor, Mich. He received additional instruction in classes at the Center for

Creative Studies in Detroit, Mich. Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Ferris

State University in Big Rapids, Mich. and has exhibited his paintings at Bagley Gallery in

Detroit and Red Piano Too Gallery on St. Helena Island, S.C.

IF YOU GO

What: “Agents of Change,” portraits by Kenneth Martin

Where: Gallery S.P.A.C.E. , 9 W. Henry St.

When: Through June 27

Gallery hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Cost: Free

Info: 651-6783 or www.savannahga.gov/arts

Art & Soul: Therapy provides artistic inspiration

Posted: June 14, 2014 - 10:35pm | Updated: June 15, 2014 - 12:01am

Back | Next

"Bessie Coleman" by Kenneth Martin

By Allison Hersh

In 1965, Kenneth Martin was working as a welder at a Ford Motor Co. plant in Detroit when his

life took a tragic turn.

Coming home from work one day, the 22-year-old’s car hit a patch of oil on the freeway and

skidded, causing a catastrophic car accident. Martin was thrown from his vehicle and suffered

numerous injuries, including a devastating spinal cord injury that left him partially paralyzed.

During his recovery process, Martin discovered the therapeutic power of art, studying with

several different instructors who opened his eyes to a whole new creative world.

“After my accident, I had to redefine who I was and what I wanted to do,” he admits. “It was a

process. I began to see how art was a form of expression.”

He’s been painting ever since. Today, Martin serves as an art instructor at the VA Clinic on

Montgomery Crossroad, helping wounded warriors get in touch with their own creativity.

Martin recently completed a series of portraits of historic African-American figures, titled

“Agents of Change,” which is on display at the city of Savannah’s Gallery S.P.A.C.E. The solo

exhibit features several dozen oil paintings and two sculptures celebrating the power of the

human spirit to endure, persevere and triumph over adversity.

Portraits of historic Savannah figures like the Rev. Andrew Marshall, a pastor at First African

Baptist Church, and Mother Matilda Beasley, who founded the first home for African-American

nuns in Georgia, hang alongside paintings of iconic figures like 19th-century abolitionist

Frederick Douglass.

Martin also shines a spotlight on lesser-known achievers like Matthew Henson, the member of

Robert E. Peary’s legendary expedition who planted the American flag at the North Pole, and

Bessie Coleman, the world’s first black female aviator.

Martin admits he’s captivated by the human face.

“People’s faces are almost like a road map,” he says. “You can almost see their challenges on

their faces. Those scars and wrinkles say a lot about the inner person. I see a person’s victories

and triumphs in their faces.”

The painting in “Agents of Change” that best illustrates that philosophy is “Legacy,” a

monochromatic portrait of a nameless African-American man with a faraway look in his eyes.

His weathered face and stoic expression, painted in burnished shades of sienna and mahogany,

reflect a lifetime of struggle.

Even though “Agents of Change” showcases portraiture, Martin says he doesn’t consider

himself a portrait artist.

“I’m more representational,” he says. “I try to capture an essence of an attitude, rather than a

likeness.”

Whether he immortalizes the entrepreneurial pride of America’s first black millionaire, William

Alexander Leidesdorff Jr., or the survivalist drive of Jamaican slaves who fled to the mountains

and formed free communities that endure today, Martin celebrates the indomitable power of the

human spirit.

“I like people who overcome obstacles,” he admits. “I love watching movies like ‘Rocky’ and

‘Avatar.’ They encourage me and help me realize I’m not the first person with an obstacle to

overcome.”

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Kenneth Martin began his journey as an artist after a debilitating car accident in 1965. A welder

by trade, Martin took up painting as therapy during recovery, taking classes with a realistic

painter in Ann Arbor, Mich. He received additional instruction in classes at the Center for

Creative Studies in Detroit, Mich. Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Ferris

State University in Big Rapids, Mich. and has exhibited his paintings at Bagley Gallery in

Detroit and Red Piano Too Gallery on St. Helena Island, S.C.

IF YOU GO

What: “Agents of Change,” portraits by Kenneth Martin

Where: Gallery S.P.A.C.E. , 9 W. Henry St.

When: Through June 27

Gallery hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Cost: Free

Info: 651-6783 or www.savannahga.gov/arts