An Ocean Between Us, will exhibit a collection of works that address the state of our global economy as seen through the eyes of a modern day sailor. The work attempts to reveal connections linking the networks of ocean commerce and colonialism. The reverberations of the not-so-distant age of exploration are felt in the imagery as Martin Machado often appropriates elements of historically significant etchings and infuses figures and scenery from his own voyaging. These works, although painted with small brushes using ink and gouache, mirror the aesthetic of etchings and serve as a sort of re-written history.
Several of the works in An Ocean Between Us were created at sea in Machado’s cabin, while he worked as part of the deck crew on international containerships. As a result of years spent staring from the bridge of ships over vast stacks of rocking containers, it is the shipping container itself, which becomes a reoccurring theme in the paintings.
