Martin Delabano, a Dallas artist of national acclaim, displayed work at Untitled [ArtSpace] from February 4 through March 26, 2005. This was Delabano's first Oklahoma exhibition.

Martin Delabano is known for his drawings and sculpture that portray the artist’s admittedly juvenile sense of humor. Included in his exhibition was Delabano’s 12.5’ constructed dog installation titled Spike. Martin’s subject matter is a juxtaposition of folk and conceptual art forms. The most recognizable influence is the human figure; usually portrayed in a mixed media sculpture and commonly paired with two-dimensional elements offering the viewer a different take on the imagery. In addition to Spike the exhibition included pieces featuring both mixed media sculptures and drawings. Delabano also created a large mural drawing of Spike on-site at Untitled [ArtSpace].

Martin Delabano was born in Dallas, Texas in 1957 to Barney and Barbara Delabano. His early life was saturated with art. The Delabano home was filled with drawings, paintings, lithographs, and ancient artifacts from all over the world. Martin enrolled in a succession of art classes at the Dallas Museum of Art, and there were always abundant art supplies on hand at home. In 1974 he met Louise Nevelson, an early influence, when she had a one-person show at the Dallas Museum of Art. In 1975 Martin traveled to Florence, Rome, Venice, and Paris with his family. The entire trip was dedicated to art, museums, archaeological sites, and churches. In 1975, Delabano also met another source of early inspiration, Robert Rauschenberg, at the Dallas Museum of Art. During this time he was also working in Southern Methodist University's sculpture studios. He married Jill Gaines in 1979 and earned his BFA from East Texas State University the following year.

Martin Delabano’s father, Barney Delabano, is a noted painter and long time curator at the Dallas Museum of Art. Martin readily acknowledges his father's influence on his life and his art. He states: "His subject matter and the use of the figure in and of itself inspired my use of everyday experiences and events in my art. My father loved color, and he passed that love of color to me. It remains a vital, important part of my art. My work is a product of all these things and is a hybrid of all the different styles that I find useful to my image making. The images I create come from my daily life. These images express a layering of ideas, which weave together into the textural narratives to which I give form in my art. My work is often about my own personal journey and a search for enlightenment. My art is sometimes about the anxiousness and restlessness I feel. At other times it's about the peace I sometimes find. Yet always I want to make the viewer smile or weep. I want my art to be intriguing now and to be just as interesting one hundred years from now." 

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Untitled [ArtSpace]
1 NE 3rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Gallery hours: Tues, Wed, Thus: 11am-6pm / Fri: 11am-8pm / Sat: 11am-4pm
Contact: untitledartspace@1ne3.org   T: 405.815.9995    F: 405.813.2070