Nancy Martini (Artist)

ince the early 1990s, my work has always included the experimentation of materials. Whether it is fused glass, print making, textiles, metals or traditional painting methods, I love to explore new techniques and processes.

Because I have worked in so many different mediums, I discovered that some of the materials made especially for artists are very similar to the materials thrown away or tossed in the recycle bin.

I love all aspects of nature and feel very connected to the earth. Trash is something that really bothers me and after feeling very frustrated by the amount of packaging in my recycle bin one day, I started cleaning and sorting like materials. I didnt know what I was going to do with all the trash I was collecting. I just knew I had to do something. I realized that collecting the trash was not going to make a great impact in helping our environment, but it was a place to start.

Everyone kept asking me, why are you collecting all this stuff? and telling me, a lot of this can just be recycled; its not our responsibility. I am not always sure where I am going with a project, I told them I just know I have to do it. So, I continued to fill container after container with sorted bottle caps, plastic tops, plastic pieces, etc. I just knew I couldnt add any more to our already threaten environment. However small, it was my way of doing something.

Soon, the trash in clear containers was starting to make my kitchen look like a candy shop. Only unfortunately, it was junk not candy. All the colors and shapes packaged-up around me kept calling out me. I kept experimenting and rethinking every container I touched. After much experimentation, the bits and pieces intuitively lead from my kitchen to my current body of work called: Lessons from the Dinner Table.

The pieces in the collection are all about the simple lessons learned and discussed around the dinner table and how it transcends into the basic foundation of how to treat each other, our community and our environment. For example: one piece titled, Invite Peace to the Table explores the importance of having peace present during opposition in order to grow and to create change.

All of the pieces in this collection are made from 95% reclaimed materials. The base of each piece starts with old broken coat hangers that are wrapped with thin strips of aluminum cut from soda cans. Plastic bags are fused together to create the main base for the background structure. The rest of my work is treated like a weaving. Using wire, I weave a pattern and then use the structure to attach bottle caps and tabs, bit and pieces of plastic packaging, aluminum foil containers, and found objects that are finally carved, painted and manipulated.

The ideas and inspiration for my paintings all come from the people who surround me. My studio is attached to my kitchen in the center of my home where children and laughter can and happily run through.

My work will continue to evolve as I discover and learn thankfully from all the people I meet who graciously share their ideas with me. I hope that my work inspires you to engage in collaborative creative discussions about how to make our community and our environment a better place.