UU Santa Monica’s November art exhibit, The Inner World of Isabel Martinez, features Martinez’s crosses, mixed media works, and oil paintings representing, in part, the spiritual side of her journey as a Latina immigrant. Meet the artist at the Opening Reception on Sunday, November 1 from 12:00 noon – 1:30pm. This event is free and open to the public from 9:00 am – 1:30 pm on Sundays through November 29 and on weekdays by appointment.

 

Martinez was born in a rural community in Mexico, studied at San Carlos Academy, and immigrated to Los Angeles in 1986. The works on display are from her ‘Vigin Series’ about which she says. “I am representing everyday people; and the idea behind of this series is that everybody has divinity inside. In the crosses, I began representing Aztec gods and goddesses. I am using the cross, because it is a universal symbol that represents human beings, where the vertical part represents spirituality and the horizontal part represents the material side… I convey my feelings, my inspiration and my soul to metaphorically represent my love of people and places where I felt loved and secure. I left my rural community when I was very little, but my community never left me.”

 

Martinez works have been in national and international exhibitions and in these books: Chicana and Chicano Art, Chicano Art for Our Millennium, Triumph of Our Communities, Painting the Towns, and from the University of Notre Dame, Caras Vemos, Corazones No Sabemos (Faces Seen, Hearts Unknown).

 

UU Santa Monica; 1260 18th Street (corner of 18th and Arizona); Santa Monica 90404 map

On Sundays look for signs to free parking at 1311 16th Street, the UCLA Hospital structure just south Arizona. Handicapped parking is available behind the church.

 

Contact Nancy at assistant@uusm.org, 310-829-5436 ext. 102 for information.