Robert Martinez

RIVERTON, WY

Robert Martinez was born in Wyoming on the Wind River Reservation in the small city of Riverton. He grew up a part of many different cultures as his lineage is Spanish, Mexican, Scotts Irish, French Canadian, and Northern Arapaho. He graduated Riverton High School at 17, and through a scholarship attended the Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design. He graduated in three years with a Bachelor of Fine Arts specializing in Painting & Drawing and minoring in sculpture, and at age 19 became the Youngest Native American to graduate from RMCAD at that time.

As he was brought up in the center of the reservation, his native heritage remains a constant inspiration and source of ideas for his work. Living in among the hard-working people of the West and experiencing their issues deeply influences his creations. The past and present resonate strongly in Wyoming and those historical and contemporary chords echo throughout his work. Much of Robert’s current work uses the historical imagery, myths, and stories of the West & Arapaho Culture combined with modern themes to create images that have a statement on the issues of today. Using intense vibrant color and contrasting shades of light and dark, he paints and draws striking forms that confront and engage the viewer.

His paintings and drawings have been shown across the nation and have garnered noted acclaim. He’s been given Wyoming’s highest award for the arts, the Wyoming Governors Art Award. His work is included in the permanent collections of the Brinton Museum, The Plains Indian Museum at the Cody Center of the West, and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

A strong supporter of Education and of the Arts, Robert devotes time to helping and mentoring emerging artists on his reservation and throughout the nation. He gives back to the community by speaking about art topics, giving workshops, and demonstrating his style to schools, agencies, and art groups.