Artist based Dallas, Texas
"Sanctuary and the loss of innocence", 2021, painted wood, 13.5'x8'x3.5'
Tell us about yourself, what's your background?
I am a second generation artist. I grew up in a house filled with art work, his work and the work his contemporaries, but he also collected, pre-columbian, new guinea basketry and African sculpture. My father was also a curator at the Dallas Museum of Art where before I was 16 I had met Henry Moore, Louise Nevelson and Robert Rauschenberg. My early life was saturated in art and I knew at a very early age that I wanted to be an artist as well.
"Sanctuary and the loss of innocence", 2021, painted wood, 13.5'x8'x3.5'
"My early life was saturated in art and I knew at a very early age that I wanted to be an artist as well."
"Sanctuary and the loss of innocence", 2021, painted wood, 13.5'x8'x3.5'
What are you currently working on and where did the inspiration for it come from?
After doing a large sculptural installation last year, I've been working on some smaller sculptures and collages. The big sculptural piece was so all consuming that the smaller pieces have been a relaxing change of pace.
Innovation does not only happen in the field of technology — it occurs everyday in an artist's practice. What do you do for inspiration?
Build and play string instruments, work in the yard.
"Sanctuary and the loss of innocence", 2021, painted wood, 13.5'x8'x3.5'
"Sanctuary and the loss of innocence", 2021, painted wood, 13.5'x8'x3.5'
Describe your practice and process. Where do ideas start for you? In the studio or being in the world?
I find things on the street and that usually starts something, but often it's just sitting in the studio with my materials around me and allowing my mind to wander.
"Remains of the Day", 2019, mixed media on masonite, 56.5″x73.25″x4.5″
How do you make your work, does it start with a sketch? Can you tell us about your style? How did you arrive at it?
I keep sketchbooks and draw in them whenever I can. Sometimes it starts here, sometimes I just start a piece of art, inspired by the found materials I collect and then use the sketchbook to work out changes and to refine the piece. My style is sometimes dictated by the materials I have found and find interesting or when I allow my mind to wander and daydream.
"Give us your tire, your poor huddle masses yearning to be free", painted wood, 2018, 80″ x 22.5″ x 77″
Do you have your own studio ritual? What does that look like for you?
I generally work in my studio from 9-12 pm., but I am always squeezing in work time in between my classes. I often show my students my progress so that they can see what goes into creating a work of art. I also listen to music, and often pick up an instrument to play as I'm thinking.
Who are your biggest influences?
My father, Barney Delabano and Robert Rauschenberg
"When the party is over but they won’t go home", 2019, Acrylic, shellac, graphite on Tyvek, 60″x72″
Are there books or films that are an important source of inspiration?
Carl Jung, Man and His Symbols
"Spare the rod, spoil the child", 2019, mixed media, 47″x16″x80.25″
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Don't go into art, I think there is something about these things called computers you should look into. (My father, Barney Delabano, who was an artist as well)
What is the best advice you would give to other artists?
Make art and forget about trying to make money at it.
Martin Delabano, Portrait of the artist
Stay up to date with Martin Delabano
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delabano.com
martindelabanoblog.com