May 20 - July 24, 2021

José Carlos Martinat (b. 1974, Lima, Peru) lives and works in Lima, Peru. Martinat’s work is concerned with the social, cultural, and political contexts of Latin America. His multidisciplinary practice involves painting, sculpture, audio, extraction, and text.
In his signature work he explores the ramifications of social inequality engendered by outdated economic models in Latin America. In the months leading up to Peru’s presidential election in 2021 and subsequently, Martinat extracted painted political and protest logos off the walls around the outskirts of Lima to capture pivotal historical moments. Weary of the country’s politics rife with corruption, the populace has taken their frustration to the streets by painting graffiti over political advertisements. Without lobbying for any political group, he seeks to highlight these difficult moments and the frustrations of many Peruvians.
Martinat’s work is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (New York); Perez Art Museum (Miami); The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (New York); Tate Modern (London); Saatchi Collection (London); Museum of Contemporary Art São Paulo (Brazil); Museo de Arte de Lima (Peru); Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires (Argentina); among others.
He has shown extensively in international institutions including the Museo de Arte de Zapopan, Mexico (2017); Sao Paolo Art Biennial, Brazil (2009 and 2015); Saatchi Gallery, London, United Kingdom (2014); Tate Modern, London, United Kingdom (2013); Biennale of Visual Arts, Ireland (2012); Noord-Holland Biennale, Netherlands (2012); Museum of Latin American Art, Los Angeles, CA (2012); IX Shanghai Biennale, China (2012); Estação Pinacoteca, Brazil (2011); Museum of Contemporary Art, Miami, FL (2011); Trienal Poligráfica de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico (2009); Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Vigo, Spain (2007); La Laboral, Spain (2007), among others.
Selected Works

José Carlos Martinat
S/t, 2022
Wall extraction
72.8 x 59 in (185 x 150 cm)

José Carlos Martinat
Patria Joven #7, 2022
Wall extraction
78.75 x 78.75 in (200 x 200 cm)

José Carlos Martinat
Caja Sullana #1, 2022
Wall extraction
82.7 x 78.75 in (210 x 200 cm)

Run for Your Life
2017
Extraction, fiberglass, epoxy resin
91.73 x 94.5 in (233 x 240 cm)

José Carlos Martinat
Flag, 2022
Wall extraction
80.7 x 59 in (205 x 150 cm)

José Carlos Martinat
La Cholita, Unidad Civica
(La Cholita, Civic Unit), 2022
Wall extraction
85.8 x 65 in (218 x 165 cm)

Frente Popular Agricola del Peru (Agricultural Popular Front of Peru)
2022
Extraction, fiberglass, epoxy resin
82.68 x 51.97 in (210 x 132 cm)

Allianza por el progreso #1 (Alliance for Progress #1)
2021
Wall extraction
78.74 x 82.67 inches (200 x 210 cm)

Extraction Process
Allianza por el progreso #1 (Alliance for Progress #1)
2021

Fuerza Popular / Alianza por el Progresso (Popular Force / Alliance for the progress)
2021
Acrylic, fiberglass and found graffiti wall extraction
66.9 x 70.8 inches (170 x 180 cm)

Voy a disparar balas/trabajo (I’m going to shoot bullets/ work)
2021
Acrylic, fiberglass and found graffiti wall extraction
91.3 x 68.8 inches (232 x 175 cm)

Democracia Directa / Direct Democracy
2021
Acrylic, fiberglass and found graffiti wall extraction
74.8 x 62.9 inches (190 x 160 cm)

Caja Municipal
2021
Acrylic, fiberglass and found graffiti wall extraction
101.5 x 65.3 inches (258 x 166 cm)

Cruz Roja (Red Cross)
2021
Wall extraction
50 x 50 inches
127 x 127 cm

Extraction Process (Red Cross)
2021

Fuerza Inka amazónica (Amazon Inka Force)
2021
Wall extraction
82.6 x 66.9 inches (210 x 170 cm)

Extraction process Fuerza Inka amazónica (Amazon Inka Force)
2021

Podemos #2 (We Can #2)
2021
Wall extraction
108.3 x 133.9 inches (275 x 340 cm)

Extraction Process Podemos #2 (We Can #2)
2021

Ladrón (Thief)
2021
Wall extraction
82.6 x 50 inches (210 x 128 cm)

Extraction Process (Ladrón)
2021

Join or Die
2018
Neon light
171 7/10 × 66 9/10 in (436 × 170 cm)

Ruins in Reverse
2013

American Echo Chamber
2018
Dimensions variable.
Motors, LEDs, microcontroller, and radio module.