JAC Talk with Martin Keen (2nd Edition)

This event took place on Thursday, February 4, 2021

Watch the video of the talk below

Sculptor Martin Keen holds an artist's talk, discussing sculptural ideas and processes. Martin’s sculpture water was among ten artworks selected from more than 100 submissions for the Jamestown Arts Center’s Outdoor Arts Experience (OAE). Water was displayed at BankNewport in Jamestown until the end October 2020 and the close of OAE.

Biography

Industrial designer and sculptor, Martin Keen has spent his life improving the function, look and utility of objects he uses in daily life. He created a new footwear brand known for practicality and function and launched a new line of furniture that greatly improves your working posture. Both born of his own personal need, these companies were started by Keen first building and testing the ideas himself. Keen has always built “sculptural” prototypes of his products, finding the most direct connection to good design and product form during this process. Making “art” sculpture is a natural extension of this creativity. No longer confined by rules of industry and manufacturing Keen now feels a new liberation that only one of a kind handmade objects can provide. “Form follows form vs. form follows function.

His love of sculptural form, structures found in nature, and sailing inspire his design aesthetic. Keen has also admires the sculptural work of Isamu Noguchi, Joan Arp, Barbara Hepworth and others.

Keen was born in 1965 in Somerset, England. He holds a BA in Industrial Design from The Ohio State University. In addition to racing sailboats on Narragansett Bay, Keen also enjoys beekeeping, tennis and travel.  He lives in Jamestown, Rhode Island with his wife.

Artist’s Statement

We live on an island. We are surrounded by water. Consciously or not, we celebrate the “separation” from the world this resource provides. We honor and care for the water that surrounds us. As a community we know we are in this together, as if on a boat. We celebrate our community on, in and around the Narragansett bay. We own the responsibility for it’s well-being as a community. We must have respect for each other, our environment and for the water.

This work, untitled water is in appreciation of this resource.