Draft:Ernest J. T. Martin

Ernest J.T. Martin
Born	July 5, 1927, Salem, Virginia
Died	October 2, 2015, Claremont CA, age 88
Education	Art Students League of New York
Known for	Professional matador, painter, author, patented inventor, and martial artist.
Notable work	"The Event that Divided the World" (2001), "Ode to Odysseus — The Fall of Troy" (2000)
Movement	Abstract Expressionism, New York School

Ernest Joseph Terrance Martin (Ernest J.T. Martin)

(July 5, 1927—October 2, 2015) was an American painter and sculptor whose work earned international awards.  Ernest was exhibited in museums in Europe, and Central and South America, as well as in the United States.

Ernest was also a professional matador, a world traveler, a published author, patented inventor, martial artist, jewelry designer, lecturer, and a friend of many celebrated artists.

Ernest served in WW II and was a Combat Veteran in the United States Coast Guard in five theaters of war. He was also a 20 MM gunner, honorably discharged in 1946.

Early Life

Born in Salem, Virginia, Ernest was the youngest son of William Knox Martin , a pioneer aviator who was the first man to fly over the Andes mountains, and Isabel Maria Vieco (from Colombia). 

His parents were married in the Panama Canal Zone, in Panama in 1921. Ernest’s father was killed in an automobile accident in Watertown NY in 1927. Isabel Martin moved to New York City with her 3 young sons, Knox Jr., Samuel Morris, and Ernest.

Ernest Martin’s art career started with his first one-man exhibition in 1934, at Public School 169 in New York City.  He was seven years old. His art continued to be exhibited in public libraries in Manhattan until 1943, when he enlisted in the Coast Guard.

Art Career: Making Connections/New York City

Utilizing the GI Bill in 1946, Ernest enrolled at the Art Students League of New York City and quickly became a recognized painter there. He studied with instructor and artist Morris Kantor. 

Ernest often reminisced about the time, in the early 1950's, when he was standing near Carnegie Hall in New York waiting to cross the street. Copious bird droppings fell onto his shoulder and on that of a fellow pedestrian. Also hit in the face, the other man began cursing in Spanish. Stunned, Martin thought, “This is Salvador Dali!” Extracting Dali’s handkerchief from his pocket, Ernest cleaned him up. Perhaps it was their soiled solidarity that prompted Salvador Dali to invite Mr. Martin to the elite Russian Tea Room for cognac.

Dali and Ernest became friends after that, and Dali introduced him to Peggy Guggenheim. Peggy introduced Ernest to Solomon R. Guggenheim.

Solomon acquired several of Ernest Martin's pieces for his personal collection. In 1956, Guggenheim Director James Johnson Sweeney acquired six of Ernest’s major paintings for the Guggenheim’s permanent collection. See James Johnson Sweeney Letter, dated 1956.

Abstract Expressionism

1946 to 1950 was a stimulating era for Ernest as he participated artistically in the Avant-garde movement known as Abstract Expressionism. Ernest painted with many artists of the time, drank with them, got into heated discussions with them, attended parties, openings and events with them. His works were shown in group shows with theirs. Many members of this community became known for breaking barriers in this new language of art, including notable artists De Kooning, Kline, Krasner, Pollock, Nakian, and many others, including Knox Martin, Ernest's older brother. Ernest’s works were exhibited at New York galleries, including the Egan and Poindexter. (Interview with Clara Congoro, Barranquilla, Colombia,1983.)

Teacher and Matador

Ernest J. T. Martin in his Suit of Lights

Ernest Martin in the Plaza de Toros, Mexico City D.F., Mexico, 1952

In 1952, Ernest moved to Mexico, where he studied and taught painting and sculpture at the Escuela National de Pintura, Escultura y Grabado in Mexico City. His artwork was represented by the Trini Art Gallery in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

He reconnected with Salvador Dali in Mexico City. Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and Siqueiros became good friends and influential in Ernest’s artistic development.

Ernest had been fascinated with bullfighting from an early age. When he moved to Mexico, he met Armillita, a beloved Mexican matador.

Armillita was so impressed by Ernest’s courage that he took him on as a student, and trained him to become a professional bullfighter. Ernest became known as "El Gitano", the Gypsy. He fought bulls from 1952 to 1964, in Mexico, Spain, France, and Portugal.

• Martin's Bullfighting Union Card
• Ernest Martin's Le Provencal Article

Europe

While in France in the early 1950's, Ernest met Douglas Cooper, world art historian and art collector, at a bullfight. Cooper brought Picasso to witness Ernest’s skills in the bullfighting ring, and personally introduced the two artists. Ernest was invited to work side-by-side with Picasso at the home of Douglas Cooper in Château de Castille in Argilliers and in Vallauris, France.

In 1954, Picasso and Douglas Cooper set up a one-man exhibition for Ernest at the prestigious Museé des Beaux-Artes in Nimes, France.

Major Themes and Practice in Martin’s Art

Ernest Martin was a prolific artist who worked across multiple media, producing both figurative and abstract works characterized by bold, energetic colors. His habit of writing or painting on the backs of his canvases added an additional layer of commentary or artistic expression to his work. Martin's artistic practice was defined by his daily painting routine, which he maintained for over eight decades.

Ernest's art was deeply influenced by his experiences in the bullfighting ring, where he was regularly confronted with mortality. His painting "Matador Contemplating Death" powerfully captures the raw emotion and conflict inherent in bullfighting. Ernest frequently explored dichotomies or duos (dualities) in his work, such as life and death, good and evil, and truth and lies. Through his art, Ernest asserted that spiritual and ethereal forces, rather than material or tangible ones, lie at the heart of human existence. He also examined the powerful forces that shape the human condition.

To express these ideas, Ernest employed a variety of techniques, such as juxtaposing straight lines and curves, using strong contrasting colors, and playing with bold forms, lights, and darks. Sometimes he created recognizable objects, while at other times he worked more abstractly, using brushwork to convey emotion without attachment to specific objects.

Personal Life

Outside of his art, Ernest's personal life included four marriages and six children. Some of his children also pursued careers as artists.

America Martin and Mars Callahan.

Awards, Honors, Publications

• President Magloire Medal of Honor for Art Contribution to the Haitian Nation
• Institute Français Award
• Art Student’s League Fine Arts Award 1946-1947
• “The Arts of Voodoo, Houngan Artistic Symbols of Vevers” by Ernest J.T. Martin, published jointly by The Pan American Institute and Haitian Cultural Institute, 1958
• “Haitian Art, Sculptures, and Paintings” by Ernest J.T. Martin, 1956, published by the Episcopal Church, Haiti

• “The Warlock” by Ernest J.T. Martin, Mars Publications,1983

Selected Public and Private Collections

Public and private collections in France, Spain, Colombia, Mexico, Virginia, Florida, Nevada, New York, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles