Delita Martin

Delita Martin’s colorful works combine printmaking, drawing, and painting to create images of African American women that serve as icons of strength and community. Combining strong line with a rich density of pattern and color, Martin’s portraits reflect not only the likeness of her subjects, but a sense of their relationship with the world around them. Martin often incorporates images of household items such as bowls, Mason jars, or spoons—a personal iconography she uses to expand upon the portrait, providing context and tone.
 
Working frequently from photographs of women in her family, Martin studies the faces and demeanors of her subjects in a process she refers to in terms of “conversation.” The finished work elevates the portrait’s subject above the literal, offering a greater understanding of and appreciation for the role of women in African American families and communities.