André Martínez Reed
Voyage To India - Oil on Canvas - 48x48
"When we make the mistake of thinking that the primitive mind is governed solely by organic and economic needs,
we forget that he levels the same reproach at us, and to him, his desire for knowledge seems more balanced than ours."
Claude Lévi-Strauss
My Roots Run Deep In NYC | Oil on canvas, 48"x 60"
"I was born in Downtown Brooklyn a melting pot in those days.
Each neighborhood had its own culture and set of rules. Above all, they each had a rhythm and beat.
It was an excellent place for a planetary citizen like myself to be born, live, thrive and raise a family.
A smorgasbord of language, music, cuisine, and customs to enjoy, it was a priceless learning experience."
André Martinez Reed
“ I do not doubt interiors have their interiors, and exteriors have their exteriors,
and that the eyesight has another eyesight, and the hearing another hearing, and the voice another voice.” Walt Whitman
This quote by Walt Whitman seems to encapsulate the dimensionality of the creative spirit of my friend, Andre Martinez Reed.
My first encounter with Andre Martinez Reed was at the Henry Gregg Gallery, which he owned and curated. The power and diversity of works on exhibit were quick to spark a lively interchange. It was immediately apparent that the works exhibited were, in a sense, reflections of Andre’s keen, discerning, and often spiritual sensibility.
As my relationship with Andre deepened, I realized he was truly an artist accomplished in several diverse art forms. His rich background as a composer, and drummer, working with legendary Cecil Taylor and other jazz greats, coalesced with his abstraction in visual art.
As a photographer, in addition to exhibiting in his gallery, I was fortunate enough to photograph a selection from the treasure trove of Andre’s paintings.
The colors flow, the forms lay rhythmically on the canvas and dance almost as a jazz drum beats-one art form flowing in syncopation into another, often surrendering to the spirit beneath the paint, waiting to appear...
This collection of images, coming together in a book, will provide sustaining victuals for a searching artistic soul.
Anthony Almeida, Photographer
Chairman of Photography Initiatives, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY.
"Using the camera to illustratethe presence of the para normal, the spiritual, Martinez shot seemingly mundane, unremarkable scenes ofhouse furnishings stirring in normal light using no more than a simple lens and film. The images caught aresurreal, suggesting, isolating, a spirit presence.This exhibition is designed to create an atmosphere of spiritual dialog between painter, subject and visitor.
It can easily extend as a long journey, a metaphysical voyage. All one need do, as I have done, is look, look again."
Moe Seager
"I believe, to understand the workings of the Spirits roaming the Universe, one must first become aware of its existence. Once one does, it is only a matter of stepping through the door. One cannot look back as one explores one's subtle surroundings and realize the wonder of all the infinite possibilities that exist around us. As an artist, one need not labor to capture the unexplained in a photograph, music or painting. With one's openness of mind, the result will make the presence of Spirit known and felt in the works that will become a living entity if true.
André Martinez Reed
The Intrusion
The Vanished Minds
A Ritual for Symphony
The Various Shades of Grey
The Dark Side Of The City
In The Shadows
The Forgotten Sides
A Gathering of Angels
Lazarus Rising
André Martinez Reed © 4/25/2020
Whatever you create, create with an intent to please a higher power.
Create with pureness and integrity.
Create with patience and endurance through all phases of life.
In times of strife, search for the meaning of the lesson behind the chaos.
When life returns to normalcy, never forget what is in control of all.
Whatever your art may be, reflect all phases, but never forget to strive.
Strive in pleasing the beauty, the peace, and the intent found in art in its rawest form.
Aiming to please the ruler of all.
All thanks be to God.
In The Forest
A Most Magical Occurrence
The Kallawaya Medicine Man
A Spotlight in The Dark
André Martinez Reed ©4/22/2020
Another Day #2 - 4/25/2020
André Martinez Reed
Beyond The Abstract
The Silent Sounds
Searching For Air
Spirits And Ancestors
Leap Into The Void
No Borders
André Martinez Reed © 4/25/2020
Another Day #3
Dispersive Prisms
Wondering Where You Been
Dinner, Drinks and Conversation
Feed The Birds
Build The Garden
Welcome The Bee’s
André Martinez Reed © 4/28/2020
Another Day#4
The Great Awakening
A Cloak Of Disguises
Ghosts Are Everywhere
While Millions Suffer And Scramble
World Wide
No Where To Hide!
Peace On Earth
When?
André Martinez Reed©5/2/2020
Another Day #5
Everywhere I Go Now
No Matter Where
I Worry About The Bubbles!
André Martinez Reed©5/9/2020
Another Day #6
As Some Take Heed To The Reality Of Things
In The Present!
Others Feel The Restraint
Like Wild Horses In A Stable
Longing To Run Free!
Have They Let Thier Guards Down
Too Soon
Where Is Wildfire?
André Martinez Reed©5/4/2020
Another Day #7
Thinking Of The Mothers On Earth Today!
Where Have
All The Great Leaders Of Today
Led Us?
The Hopi Elders Have Always Believed
That The Leaders Should Be Concerned
For The Next Seven Generations To Come!
To Learn About Life
Plant A Tree
Look At The Community That Lives Around That Tree
The Ants, The Birds, The Snakes, The Flowers, The Animals, etc.
Follow The Sick Animal In The Forest
He Will Lead You To The Medicine!
Have We Fallen Way, Way, Way Behind?
Growing Tired Of Paying For Things That Were Designed To Break
Longing For Built To Last The Old Fashion Way
In A Disposible World!
André Martinez Reed ©5/5/2020
Another Day #8
Pondering
Thinking And Rethinking
How, When and Why?
Over And Over Again!
Questioning and Questioning Everything Around Me!
I Look Towards The Sky
Then Ask Myself
What Is Going On?
Above Me Right Now!
André Martinez Reed © 5/8/2020
Another Day # 9
Why The Ghosting Of The Possible Truth
Who Is Trying To Hide It
For What Reason?
I Stopped Watching Regular TV Almost Forty Years Ago
I Could No Longer Handle The Commercials Any Longer!
The Pharmacuetical Ads
Made Me Feel Sick!
Went To See A Friend After A Long Time
He Had The News On
Within Fifteen Minutes
I Wanted To Run For My Life
"This Is Insane!!!!"
As Crazy Eddie's Use to Say
André Martinez Reed - ©5/9/2020
Indivisible With Liberty And Justice For All
Oil on Canvas
As I Travel Across The Land
Everything Suddenly Looks The Same
Not Sure Where I Am Anymore
Why?
What Happened To
The University Of Diversity?
André Martinez Reed© 5/6/2020
Stop!
Oil on Canvas
Stop, Stop, Stop!
Is This The Point Of No Return?
André Martinez Reed © 5/11/2020
"Do we truly believe we are greater or mightier than the ground upon we stand, or the sky above with its galaxies and constellations.
Are we what illuminates the moon, or brings the sun to set."
Lauren Martinez ©5/18/20
The Stroll
I DECIDED TO TAKE A STROLL IN THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD AND CAME ACROSS A CHURCH
I KNEW FROM CHILDHOOD.
I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT'S DOORS ARE STILL CLOSED TO ALL FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY.
I GUESS IT'S A LANDMARK.
I LOOK ACROSS THE STREET AND SEE ANOTHER IN DIRE STRAIGHTS.
I HEAR A VOICE TELL ME.
YES, MY SON, THEY HAVE BEEN CLOSING CHURCHES OF ALL DENOMINATIONS ALL ACROSS THE CITY!
SOME TORN DOWN TO MAKE SPACE FOR CONDOS AND OTHERS CONVERTED TO CONDOS.
TELL ME, WHERE DO I GO NOW.
FOR PEACE AND REFLECTION.
IN A WORLD IN CRISIS!
FOR WHOM THE BELLS TOLL!
André Martinez Reed © 5/17/202 Tinkerbell - Oil on Canvas
"There was knowledge of an ancient kind left behind for those who seek, exemplary beings of piety and wisdom.
In a world where idols has become paramount there are few who truly deserve to be sought.
And yet the very lesson was never to be idolized but an example for living gracefully."
Lauren Martinez ©5/20/2020
These are emotional times for everyone on earth living today.
Today I am thinking and reflecting on the life of my dear friend Jimmy Cruiz, who lost his battle with the Coronavirus.
I knew Jimmy for over forty years, and we shared many adventures in living life to the fullest together.
Not only a great person who was loved by everyone, but also one of the most incredible musicians and spirit I have ever known.
Two of my greatest inspirations.
Rembrandt always said that the character of a person is etched in their face and can fool no painter.
Yousuf Karsh was more interested in the soul of the person than in their appearance.
I will do my best to keep his spirit and to keep his light burning bright!
A Man Of True Character and Integrity!