Martin Reyna

L'île (Untitled 23042) (Abstract painting)

2023

Martín Reyna is an Argentinian-born contemporary artist widely known and recognized for his gestural abstract paintings. He lives and works in Paris. Reyna is the winner of the Chandon Prize, Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Jean-François Millet Prize of Paintings, Valognes, France, the Nuevo Mundo Foundation Prize, and the Gunther Prize of Paintings, among others. He recently completed a Ballinglen Arts Foundation residency in Ballycastle, County Mayo, Ireland, and was awarded a Fellowship at the Fundación Antorchas, Buenos Aires. Reyna has exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Europe, South America, and the United States. Recent solo exhibitions include Teodora Galerie, Paris, Artemisa Gallery, NYC, Infinito Gallery, Buenos Aires, Antidote Art & Design, Dubai, and Kentler International Drawing Space, New York. Reyna works with ink, acrylics and oils on canvas or paper. One of his signature techniques is to dilute his mediums so the colors will dissipate and intermingle in uncontrolled ways. When using ink on paper, a small bit of water is introduced to the surface, creating profound effects as the color seems to vibrate outward, expanding harmoniously into space. Reyna is interested in the balance between freedom and planning. His method is to meticulously plan the linear and spatial properties of his compositions, while leaving room to instigate moments within his process when the forces of nature take over, leading the work in directions he cannot foresee.