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Faculty of Fine Arts

Kyle Alden Martens

2023-2024, Concordia University

A man in a gray shirt and dark pants climbs a silk rope suspended from the ceiling in a white-walled room with bright overhead lighting. He is mid-air, with his body angled upwards. In the background, two people stand observing, and two chairs sit against the wall. The scene captures a moment of physical exertion. Silver Silk Rope, 2023 by Kyle Alden Martens. Patel Brown, Toronto, ON. Documentation by Darren Rigo.
Kyle Alden Martens by Brandon Brookbank

Kyle Alden Martens is an interdisciplinary artist working in sculpture, installation, and performance based in Montreal. He is a recent MFA graduate in sculpture from Concordia University where he was supported by the Dale and Nick Tedeschi Arts Fellowship, the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship (SSHRC), and the Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Société et culture (FRQSC).

Martens has exhibited solo exhibitions with Circa Art Actuel in Montréal, AXENÉO7 in Gatineau, the Khyber Centre for the Arts in Halifax as well as his exhibition PORTABLE CLOSETS, which was shown nationally at Stride Gallery, Centre Clark, and Eastern Edge Gallery. He has presented work with Patel Brown, Bradley Ertaskiran, Pangée, and the Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery among others.

His practice is currently supported by a Canada Council for the Arts creation grant where he is investigating sites of storage to find alternative metaphors for the proverbial closet.

See more of Kyle Alden Martens's work

A close-up shot of a long, arm-length glove hanging from a horizontal metal bar. The glove made from dark-green fabric, and is adorned with red, yellow, and clear studs. Muscle Worn & Wearing, 2022 by Kyle Alden Martens. Circa Art Actuel, Montréal, QC. Documentation by Brandon Brookbank
A sculpture depicting half of a man's suit jacket is tucked in a metal frame of the same shape. The jacket is made of a reflective, metallic material with a blue-ish tint. The sculpture rests on a pale-pink table of the same jacket shape, and is supported by thin, dark metal legs. Muscle Worn & Wearing, 2022 by Kyle Alden Martens. Circa Art Actuel, Montréal, QC. Documentation by Brandon Brookbank
A caucasian male climbs a knotted, colorful rope suspended in front of a white wall. The climber tucks a cartoonish, orange sweater shape between his arm and body. Affixed to the wall are other fabric-like shapes resembling a green vest, dark pants, and aqua socks. The scene captures a moment of physical exertion. Heavy Fabric, 2019 by Kyle Alden Martens. AXENÉO7, Gatineau, QC. Documentation by Brandon Brookbank
Three small, boxy handbags are arranged on a rectangular, yellow platform. The handbags are made of a dark blue material with gold studs and long, dark blue ropes for the straps BAGS, 2020 by Kyle Alden Martens. Bradley Ertaskiran, Montréal, QC. Documentation by Maxime Brouillet
A bright gallery space features various sculptures. Throughout the room, several small tables of varying shapes display colourful objects resembling clothing items and accessories. A large, reflective surface reveals clothing shapes affixed to the opposite wall. Heavy Fabric, 2019 by Kyle Alden Martens. AXENÉO7, Gatineau, QC. Documentation by Jonathan Lorange
Close-up detail of a boxy dark blue handbag on a yellow surface. The handbag's surface is adorned several with elliptical shapes that are made from tightly-woven leather straps. The bag's straps are thick, dark blue ropes. BAGS, 2020 by Kyle Alden Martens. Bradley Ertaskiran, Montréal, QC. Documentation by Maxime Brouillet
The artist holds an orange, sweater-shaped object on a wooden floor. The sweater-object is studded with colorful glass marbles. The artit's posture suggests he is tilting the sweater so the marbles roll around within the shape. Heavy Fabric, 2019 by Kyle Alden Martens. AXENÉO7, Gatineau, QC. Documentation by Brandon Brookbank
A bright gallery space contains various sculptural installations. The left wall is affixed with small, black, gray, and orange figures in a dense pattern. On the back wall, two rope ladder structures hang from the ceiling. A dark garment hangs from the right wall, and underneath it, in the foreground, is a yellow platform displaying sandals and sock-shaped objects. Portable Closets, 2018 by Kyle Alden Martens. Centre CLARK, Montréal, QC. Documentation by Paul Litherland
A white rectangular platform displays a dark blue, fragmented shirt-shaped sculpture. The shirt is composed of small purses in geometric shapes and are connected by thin, dark blue cords. Smaller purses in the same colour, are scattered around the shirt. Purse Shirt & Purse Shirt Miniature, 2023 by Kyle Alden Martens. Patel Brown, Toronto, ON. Documentation by Darren Rigo
Installation of 4 pairs of open-toed sandals made from wood and fabric. The left pair features arched-tunnel shapes cut out of the sole. The centre pair features pink strips embedded in the sole. The right pair contains miniature sandals. The soles of the background pair are cut into shapes to resemble a puzzle. Portable Closets, 2018 by Kyle Alden Martens. Centre CLARK, Montréal, QC. Documentation by Paul Litherland
Sculpture of a pair of earrings are made of dark metal with bright green accents. A thick, gray rope with metal clasps lies in the bottom left corner. Portable Closets, 2018 by Kyle Alden Martens. Centre CLARK, Montréal, QC. Documentation by Paul Litherland
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