Jazmine Martinez

Artist Biography:
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I’m a ​Chicana artist based in Salt Lake City. I studied painting and drawing at the University of Utah. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art with an Emphasis in Painting and Drawing, with a Minor in Health.  I’m passionate about visual art and the world of medicine.

I was born and raised in Southern California. Both my parents migrated to the United States for a better life. As a child, the traditions from Mexico and El Salvador lifestyles were emphasized and this led to me growing up with a combination of United States and Mexican/Salvadorean culture. However, I am always straddling the line of being “ni de aqui, ne de alla”.

​Muralism is a major influence in my artistic language. I am constantly looking at muralists all over the world to gain inspiration and technique. There are amazing things happening out there!

Printmaking has worked its way into my art practice as my preferred medium for my satirical side of art. I like to use humor as a way to tackle much more serious issues by making easier to digest. Humor helps bring light to subjects that may not be talked about as much.  I enjoy being satirical and poking fun at the world. That is something that I like to incorporate into my work whenever possible. Historically printmaking has been a medium for political, social, and educational purpose. I would like to make an impact with my printmaking work and follow in the steps of some of the great printmakers. Artemio Rodriguez and Jose Guadalupe Posada are major influences in my printmaking work because of their loose, satirical and whimsical artistic style.

My artwork is a constantly evolving stream of consciousness. I’m influenced by the world around me and the issues that I see communities facing. I’m wanting to get people to think critically and question the world. My preferred mediums to work in are acrylic paint, drawing, printmaking or spray paint.

Lately I’ve been fascinated by the mundanity of everyday life. It is beautiful and a major part of the human condition. My next series of work will tap into this idea.