Artist BioBorn in Detroit, Michigan in 1959, Martin Spei moved around the United States and Canada, living in Tampa, Toronto, Chicago, Santa Fe, Little Rock, and Phoenix. In Toronto, he attended York University, majoring in Theater Arts. In Chicago, he attended the Art Institute, where he trained apprentice-style with accomplished sculptors and painters. He continues to be motivated by people who work and is always inspired by other artists. Both creating and problem-solving are significant parts of the sculptor's work. Martin Spei wants to engage the audience with clear references so that the meaning and story are relevant. His work expresses his desire to understand why and how people do the work they do. Martin focuses on the figure to permit immediate access to both interpretation and connection. He is drawn to images of business and politics as he explores the human reaction to these forces. Martin aims to capture the context of societal norms while portraying the inner dialogue of the individual, striving to share the humorous irony in simultaneous connection and isolation. Artist's StatementCreating and problem-solving are the largest parts of a sculptor's mental work. All metaphor is derived from personal context, and the art object ultimately remains a symbol. I want to engage the audience with clear references so that the meaning and story behind the sculpture are relevant.My work expresses my desire to understand why and how people do the work they do. My artwork is representational. I work with the figure because I believe it can permit immediate access to interpretation and connection. I am drawn to images of business and politics as I explore the human reaction to these forces. I want to capture the context of societal norms while portraying the inner dialogue of an individual as I strive to share the humorous irony I see in our simultaneous connection and isolation.Curriculum Vitae 2019 Texas Contemporary 2019 Dubuque Museum of Art 2019 Biennial2015-2019 LA Art Show 2015-2019 SOFA Chicago 2017 Tramoya Royale Solo Installation 2017 FORM Miami 203 Fine Arts Taos, New MexicoIn Comparison – Further Evidence Amarillo Museum of Art Amarillo, Texas2015 Bienniel-600: Sculpture2015-2017 GX Gallery London, England University of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming2014 WCIAA ExhibitorCCC College Plano, Texas Festival Guest Artist2013 Beasty Phil Space Santa Fe, New MexicoArt Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico2013-2014 Artist Project 2013-2016 203 Fine Art Taos, New Mexico 2011-2018 Alvorado Foundry Gallery Ciudad Juarez, Mexico2011 San Francisco Fine Art Fair, San Francisco, CaliforniaArt & Design 20/21 Show Boston, MassachusettsTabreze, Arkansas Art Center Little Rock, ArkansasTrinidad Center for the Arts Trinidad, Colorado2010 Frenzy III Strange AnimalsArt Actually Miami, Florida2008-2010 Royal Caribbean Guest Artist2010 Art Slant, Santa Fe, New Mexico2010-2011 Melissa Morgan Fine Art Palm Desert, California2009 Sculptural Ideas Fuller Lodge Art Center, Los Alamos, New MexicoEdgesposure, The Edge Gallery Santa Fe, New Mexico2009-2011 GF Contemporary Santa Fe, New Mexico2009-2011 Lombard Contemporary Art Orlando, Florida2008 – Present Graphite NOLA New Orleans, Louisiana2009 ArtScapes. Knoxville Museum Knoxville, Tennessee2008 Talking Heads 707 Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico2007 Affordable Art Fair New York, New York, New YorkMartin Spei Intentional Grounding, Millenia Fine Art Orlando, Florida2006 Millenia Fine Art Time Warner Center, New York, New York2005-2008 Lyon & Lyon Fine Art New Orleans, LouisianaWorking Man, Sculpture of Martin Spei, Installation2005 SOFA Chicago,Chicago, Illinois2005, 2006 International Art and Design Fair, New York, New York2005-2008 Palm Beach 3, Palm Beach, Florida2005, 2006 Art Chicago, Chicago, Illinois2004-2006 Addison Parks Gallery Santa Fe, New Mexico 2004 It Figures Group Show 2004-2005 Glass Garage Gallery Los Angeles, California 2004 Seventh Annual Art and Design Walk Cline Fine Art Scottsdale, ArizonaThe Figure Group Show2004, 2005 Art Miami, Miami, Florida2003 Taos Media Forum, All Points Gallery Taos, New MexicoMixed Media, Mixed Messages Group Show2003-2005 Galerie Mark Hachem Paris, France2003-2004 Zaplin Lampert Gallery Santa Fe, New MexicoShidoni Foundry Tesuque, New Mexico2003 Outside the Box, Group Show COMMUNITY EVENTS2011 Art in Public Places Award Purchase, State of New Mexico2008-2018 Annual Iron Pour Mesalands Tucumcari, New Mexico2014-2010 Annual Iron Gathering Keen Foundry Invitational Houston, Texas2014-2017 Iron Tribe Highlands University Las Vegas, New Mexico2012-2016 Annual Conference Western Cast Iron Art Alliance1997 Vermont Studio Center Residency, Johnson, Vermont CORPORATE COLLECTIONSGraMedica, Macomb, MichiganPerry & Associates, PC, Encino, CaliforniaBZMZ Interests, Ltd., Houston, TexasGluskin Sheff + Associates Inc., Toronto, OntarioMemory Corp S.A., Bogata, ColombiaFeifel, Broadbent, Gareau and Gualazzi, Sault Ste. Marie, OntarioAGT International, Zurich, SwitzerlandAHG Group, Winter Park, FloridaRitz Carlton, Denver, ColoradoDesign in Motion, Coral Gables, FloridaRykodisc, Santa Fe, New MexicoConnextions, Inc., Orlando, FloridaBraeside Displays, Lake Bluff, IllinoisCED Companies, Maitland, FloridaLauricella Land Company, LLC, New Orleans, LouisianaNovak Construction, Chicago, IllinoisThe Comex Group, Longtree, ColoradoTigertail Events, Inc., Miami, FloridaPRI Project Development, New York, New YorkTawill Engineering, Inc., Orlando, FloridaTexas Pipeline and Supply Company, Houston, TexasKODA Enterprises Group, Waltham, MassachusettsYTech International, Miami, Florida