Martin Tuba's "Antlers VS Horns Versus..."

Artist Statement:

In his new body of work, Martin Tuba explores with bringing the outdoors in. Scavenging the forest floor, and using found and gifted skulls and bones, Martin creates a unique juxtaposition between the untamed wild and the fine art world. The process in creating his art can be a timely procedure and at times quite gruesome. Some of the skulls and carcasses are found in numerous stages of decomposition. For example, a fresh moose skull was found sitting in a pile of entrails left there from a hunter the night before. On the other end of the spectrum, Martin came across a bear carcass that was a victim of a speeding car, and had been sitting for so long that the skin was in a leather type state. Once the cleaning stage is done, the painting and drawing begin. The transformation is exciting as the skulls take on a new form with Martin’s street and comic sense decorating the newly purposed art, and bringing the dead back to life. Remembering that art is to be enjoyed as much as it is to be scrutinized. Please enjoy the show!

Artist Bio:

Martin was born and raised in Kamloops, B.C. After graduation, Martin moved to Vancouver to attended the Vancouver Film School. He completed a two minute animated short film entitled “Under Pressure.” Martin returned to Kamloops B.C. and has been a part of multiple shows in the community:

2008 Shazaam – The Cube, Kamloops Art Gallery

2008 Come Draw On Our Walls - Arnica

2009 More Soup For You – The GUG, Kamloops Art Gallery

2009 Serigraffiti – BMO Kamloops Art Gallery

2010 Woodland Creatures - Wilson House Gallery

2010 Art Walk - The Art We Are

2011 Juried Art Show - (3rd place) Courthouse Gallery

2012 Art Auction – Main Gallery, Kamloops Art Gallery

2013 A Narative Corpse – The Cube, Kamloops Art Gallery

Not limiting himself to just one certain style, Martin works on multiple fields working in sculpture, painting, animation and illustration. He also works on performance art such as sand animation, with performances for the Mayors Gala for the Arts in 2011 and for the St. Ann’s annual fundraiser. For the B.C Summer games Martin was involved with creating animation for the closing ceremonies.

In his most recent show, Martin explores the use of animal skulls in his new body of work.

A huge part of his inspiration comes from the art giants of today such as Jeremy Fish, David Choe, Blek Le Rat, and Tom Haubrick (just to name a few).