Móyòsóré Martins Heads to Paris for Solo Exhibition
The exhibition delves into Martins' journey of self-discovery and connection with those around him, following a return to his university roots in Ghana, Africa, through the Arms Around The Child Foundation artist residency. After nearly a decade in the U.S., Martins reflects on how his achievements and hard work can give back to the community, bringing him full circle to where his artistic path began.
Created in collaboration with TRAFFICARTS (NYC-based Fine Arts Production & Management), Jerome Neutres (previously Director at the Réunion des musées nationaux- Grand Palais in Paris, and served as president of the Musée du Luxembourg, Aurore Blanc (French art historian), and Michelle & Asher Edelman (Renowned collectors and sponsors of emerging artists).
Jerome Neutres, who successfully produced and curated a multitude of acclaimed exhibitions at the Grand Palais and in other museums internationally, prides himself on showcasing emerging artists and innovative talent through thoughtful selection and impeccable commitment to the emerging artist space.
Neutres comments, “Moyosore Martins embodies a rare and precious figure of the visual artist: the one making art as a vital issue, and not a bohemian hobby. From Nigeria to the
New York Bronx where I met him, Moyosore Martins’ painting talks to us about the true way of the world: a world and an art made of migrations, crossing the boundaries to exist, mixing cultures to invent a new one. Recently back to Ghana, where he studied, Moyosore experienced the fascinating and sometimes challenging
return to the original roots. His latest works he presents in Paris testify of this exceptional Journey across the two worlds of the artist – art being the only way to make a symbiosis of it.”
A Lot of Nothing, 2023 | Oil, oil sticks, pigments, and graphite on canvas 72 x 60 in. (180 x 150 cm)
"We are deeply thankful for Moyosore Martins' partnership and the lasting impact he made during his time at the Arms Around The Child Artists Residency in Senya Beraku. While creating his own work, Moyo also inspired the children at the Christian Atsu Education Centre, using art as a powerful tool to build their confidence and self-expression. His presence has left an indelible mark on the children, empowering them to believe in their potential and the value of their stories. Moyo’s contributions are integral to our mission of providing safety, education, and hope for the vulnerable children in Senya Beraku and the work of Arms Around The Child," said Ellie Milner, Global Director Arms Around The Child. Móyòsóré Martins’ narratives unfold in layered compositions and personal iconography, where scratches and scrapes represent the raw authenticity of life. Martins captures his experiences and visions in real-time, bringing them to life on canvas.
The Paris and Geneva exhibitions are followed by sold out pieces in Sotheby's and Phillips auctions and successful shows at Galerie Tanit in Beirut, Mitochondria Gallery at Miami Scope, and Tang Contemporary in Hong Kong. The Paris exhibition will mark the debut of works created during Martins' residency with the Arms Around The Child Foundation in Ghana.
For more information on the artist and how you can view the works on display and visit the upcoming show, please visit TRAFFICARTS.
PR Contact: Joanna Martins -CULTURESPUN PR
Artist Contact: Michelle Edelman - TRAFFICARTS
Paris Gallery Contact: Aurore Blanc
New York’s Nigerian-Born Rising Star, Móyòsórè Martins, Debuts First Solo Exhibition In Paris “MÓYÒSÓRÉ MARTINS” Opens October 16—November 15th with TRAFFICARTS New York with the kind support of Asher & Michelle Edelman, Jerome Neutres, and Aurore Blanc.
New York, NY (SEPTEMBER 17, 2024) - New York City's Nigerian-born artist Móyòsóré Martins, known for his powerful, iconographic, and expressionistic canvases filled with a rich anthology of characters and personal symbolism—such as the “watchman,” googly- eyed monsters, and Dogan figures—will debut in Paris this fall. Following his solo show in Geneva in September, these two back-to-back European exhibitions further cementing his stature as a rising force in the contemporary art world. As his influence expands globally, Moyo is becoming one of the more exciting and dynamic voices in contemporary art today.
“MÓYÒSÓRÈ MARTINS” opens on Wednesday, October 16, from 6-9pm, on the eve of the Paris+ for Basel VIP Opening, at 8 Rue Chapon, in the heart of the Marais. A special pre-opening and press preview will take place on October 15, featuring monumental pieces, smaller works, and studies on paper. The exhibition will also highlight artworks created during Martins’ two-month Spring 2024 Artist Residency with The Arms Around The Child Foundation in Ghana, Africa.
Ghana IV—Filtration | Oil, oil stick, pigments, charcoal and canvas 79 X 99 in. (198 X 248 cm)
“This painting was inspired by my experience of being present at the school in Ghana—at that very moment. Seeing things beyond myself. It’s about all the things the children lacked, like water, bedsheets, plates, cups, television. The ability to step out of my own bubble and see what the kids needed and that I could make a difference, “ expressed Martins.
As Móyò explains, a central figure recurring in his work is the "hungry cat." This character embodies his insatiable hunger as an artist—for success, growth, and now, with a fresh perspective, a desire to uplift others. Reflecting on how far he has come, Martins recognizes the significant influence he wields and the potential he has to transform lives. The hunger is palpable, radiating a visceral energy that draws viewers in. The ever- expanding eyes symbolize his growing visibility, while the figure within the animal represents his subconscious, driving his creative journey.
Móyòsóré Martins, Ghana, Africa with Arms Around The Child Residency, April 2024
