Martha Alf

Martha Alf was an American artist, known for her abstract paintings and prints, which often featured bold colors and geometric shapes.

Biography of Martha Alf

Martha Joanne Alf, a renowned California artist, was born in Berkeley in 1930 and spent her life and career practicing between San Diego and Los Angeles. Her artistic journey began at San Diego State University, where she studied under the late impressionist painter Everett Gee Jackson. She later pursued her MFA at the University of California, Los Angeles, studying under renowned artists like Richard Diebenkorn, Lee Mullican, William Brice, James Weeks, and Sam Amato. During this time, she was also influenced by the work of abstract expressionists like Rothko, Louis, and Newman.

Alf's formal education also included a BFA and an MFA in printmaking from the University of Iowa. She later shared her knowledge and expertise as a faculty member at the University of Texas and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Alf's work draws inspiration from a wide range of influences, from Old Masters to Pop Art and Minimalism. She is best known for her critically acclaimed "Cylinder Paintings," depicting toilet paper rolls as monumental objects. This series was featured in the Whitney Museum of American Art's 1975 Biennial.

Alf's later works focused on still-life drawings and paintings of fruits and vegetables, bathed in natural light. These pieces, often featuring pears as the central subject, alluded to a psychological tension within the objects, earning Alf the affectionate title of "The Vermeer of Pears."

Martha Alf passed away peacefully in 2019, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional artwork. Her contributions to the art world included her innovative "cylinder paintings," evocative still-life drawings, and a passion for exploring the beauty and symbolism within everyday objects.

Martha Alf's Art Style: From Cylinder Paintings to Photography

Alf's "Cylinder Paintings," featuring toilet paper rolls as monumental objects, gained national acclaim in the 1970s. These works, painted in unconventional colors to express a range of emotions, were inspired by Josef Albers' "Homage to the Square" series. Alf's dedication to this series was evident in her consistent repetition of the image while varying the colors, showcasing her meticulous approach to her craft.

By the late 1970s, Alf shifted her artistic focus to graphite drawings, where she used fruits and vegetables as her subjects, arranging them like actors on a stage to create psychological narratives. The pear, a frequent subject, often served as a self-portrait for the artist. Alf transitioned from black and white to color in her pastel drawings of the early 1980s, exaggerating color and light to infuse the works with a spiritual dimension.

In the late 1980s, Alf returned to painting, producing a series of vibrant depictions of pears that were described as "psychedelic" by one art critic. In the 21st century, she concentrated almost exclusively on photography, exploring subjects such as hand-colored toilet paper rolls, pigeons, and still-life arrangements of fruits and flowers.

Alf's artistic journey was marked by a lifelong exploration of color, light, and composition. Her ability to transform everyday objects into extraordinary works of art is a testament to her talent and dedication. As Michael Kohn, owner of Michael Kohn Gallery, stated, "Alf's work embodies wide-ranging influences in an utterly emotive and beautiful manner."

Recognition and Legacy

Martha Alf's artistic contributions are celebrated in numerous private and corporate collections, and her work is represented in major museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, Orange County Museum of Art, San Diego Museum of Art, Long Beach Museum of Art, Phoenix Art Museum, and Portland Art Museum. Alf's legacy continues to influence contemporary artists and she is regarded as an important figure in the development of abstract art.

Alf's dedication to her craft was recognized with several awards, including two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Her work continues to inspire and captivate audiences, solidifying her place as a significant figure in the art world.