Martin Levine (etchings, lithographs and drawings)
October 7, 2011 at 6:30PM
Monroe House
Monroe Gallery and Parlors
Martin Levine (etchings, lithographs and drawings)
“Architecture is the primary inspiration for my art,” says Martin Levine. “This preoccupation was developed through my conviction that architecture is one of mankind's greatest achievements. Both rural and urban buildings remain the attention of my work, with an historical reverence to the generations of artists who share my love and motivation. Constructed edifices and structures, both old and new, not only embody the visual dynamics of the environment we exist in, but help us live our lives more comfortably and resourcefully.”
“My meticulously hand drawn aquatint etchings, lithographs and drawings typically take six to nine months to complete, due to my obsession with detail, and intense involvement with every technical aspect of the medium. I draw from a composite of my own photographs and on‐site sketches, and for further amplification, work with an 8x jeweler’s loop, leaving no detail irrelevant. My images are intentionally devoid of humans, allowing the viewer exclusivity by minimizing any distractions. Unlike the limitations of a camera or the naked eye, every object near and far is rendered in extreme focus, allowing for more clarity and heightened observation. My fascination with exaggerated perspective, unusual vantage points (such as bird’s eye views) and elongated shadows, continues to characterize my images.”