b. Havana, CU 1964

Lives and works in Los Angeles, US

Enrique Martínez Celaya probes grandiose metaphysical and philosophical questions through his somber images of the natural world. Born in Cuba, Martínez Celaya moved to the United States to study physics, and while completing his doctorate, he took up painting, recognizing it as his preferred medium to confront such issues. Since expanding his practice to sculpture and installation, painting remains the core of his work, often refering to mystical ideas or to fairy tales. The earnest and even grim tone of his practice stems from what he believes is a cynical condition of the contemporary world.

His work can be found in multiple public collections, such as at The Bronx Museum of the Arts, New York, US; Denver Art Museum, US; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, US; Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, CA; The Olbricht Collection, Berlin, DE; The Phillips Collection, Washington, US; San Diego Museum of Art, US; The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, RU; Strandverket Konsthallen, Marstrand, SE; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, US; among others.

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