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Born in 1937 in New York, NY, United States


1991, University of the District of Columbia, Washington D.C.

1990, M.F.A., Pacific Western University, Los Angeles, CA

1973, Washington Technical Institute, Washington D.C.

1955-61, Certificate, Corcoran School of Art, Washington D.C.


"My approach to creating abstract art is relatively simple. An artist translates feelings into visual imagery using the elements of line, color, shape, form, light and shadow to elicit emotional and aesthetic responses. I compose these elements on canvas or paper as a work of art about joy, sorrow, humor, peace, or energy. I accomplish this in several ways: geometric paintings, expressionistic collages, works on paper, abstract figurative drawings and paintings, and artist books.

In my work, I explore traditions such as 'Notan', which is the interaction between positive (light) and negative (dark) proportions on a two-dimensional surface. The idea of this interaction, in black and white or color, concerns balance in spacial relationships. I am also intrigued by geometric shapes as they were developed by our ancestors from the Paleolithic period. The basic shapes--squares, circles, triangles, zig-zag lines--in singular or rhythmic pattern, express feelings through geometric designs.

My geometric paintings begin with line drawings defining proportions. In interpreting a way to compose or organize these elements, I look for a working aesthetic, balance, and color. It is a challenge to transform these elements so that each painting has a quality of emotion or stillness. As the content becomes finished, familiar shapes and colors are defined and presented."

Jack Martinelli, June 2004

  • Selected Solo Exhibitions
    • 2006: RTKL Associates, Baltimore, MD

    • 2000: Sycamore House Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA

    • 1998: The American Institute of Architects, Washington D.C.

    • 1994:
        Calvin Edward Gallery, Frederick, MD

        National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center Gallery, Bethesda, MD

    • 1993: Artshowcase Gallery, Baltimore, MD

    • 1992: National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center Gallery, Bethesda, MD

    • 1990: Arts Council of Montgomery Country, Bethesda, MD

    • 1968: The Potter's Hand Gallery, Bethesda, MD

    • 1961: Grace Episcopal Church, Georgetown, Washtington D.C.


  • Selected Group Exhibitions
    • 2007: Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, Fredericksburg, VA

    • 2006-2003: International Visions Gallery, Washington, DC

    • 2005: Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

    • 2002:
        China Association of Science and Technology, Beijing, China

        Salle Augustin-Chenier, Quebec, Canada

        Embassy of Russia, Washington, DC

        The National Academy of Art, New Delhi, India

    • 2001: The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, Frederick, MD

    • 2000:
        The City of Gaithersburg Council for the Arts, Gaithersburg, MD, Angels in the City

        The Lait Kala Akademy, New Delhi, India, The New Delhi Ceremony of Lights: Bridging Two Millenniums

    • 1999: Rockville Arts Place, Rockville, MD, Gallery Director's Group Exhibition

    • 1994:
        Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, CA, Fluxus

        Strathmore Hall Arts Center, Bethesda, MD

        National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD

    • 1993:
        The Michael Stone Collection Gallery, McLean, VA

        Rockville Arts Place, Rockville, MD, 12x12x12 Two

    • 1992: The Colonnade Gallery, George Washington University, Washington D.C.

    • 1990: The Damien Gallery, Washington D.C.

    • 1957-1961: Franz Bader Gallery, Washington D.C.


    • The Sheppard Pratt Collection, Baltimore, MD

    • National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD

    • The Institute of Book Arts, The University of Alabama, Tuscalloosa, AL

    • Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, CA

    • The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY

    • The Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.

    • The Franklin Furnace, New York, NY

    • The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington D.C.

    • The Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA

    • Montgomery Country Public Library Art Collection, Rockville, MD

    		•

    Selection of works from Jack Martinelli

    Read the guestbook of Jack Martinelli

    Sign the guestbook of Jack Martinelli

    • 2002, Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, Fredericksburg, VA

    • 2002, Biennale International d'art Miniature, Ville-Marie, France

    • 1994, Fluxus International, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, CA

    • 1994, Stained Glass Competition, United States Historical Society, Richmond, VA

    • 1993, 1990, Art Project Grant, The Arts Council of Montgomery County, Rockville, MD

    • 1955-58, Art Scholarships and Awards, Corcoran School of Art, Washington D.C.

    • 1955, Senator Herbert Lehman Art Foundation, Corcoran School of Art

    • Hoffberg, Judith A. "The Path is a Circle." Umbrella. February 1994.

    • Martinelli, Jack. The Path is a Circle. Rockville: The Arts Council of Montgomery County, 1993.

    • Morgan, Roberta. "Color, Light and Whimsy Fill NIH Gallery." The Rockville Gazette. September 2, 1992.

    • Thompson, Tom. "First Grantee Exhibition." Arts Alive! Center. October 2, 1990.

    • Portner, Leslie Judd. "'Heavy Weeding' Provokes a Furor." The Washington Post. October 14, 1956.