Last updated: 27 October 2026
Eddie Martinez is the New York painter of loud, cartoonish flower pots, tabletops and ‘Buflys’, represented in London by Timothy Taylor. Here you will find our take on his work, his recent shows, and his new Phaidon book at £49.95.
Our take on Eddie Martinez
Martinez paints fast and thick, in a cartoon-tinged style built from drawing. “Your whole body’s involved. You’re not just painting with your hand,” he says in a video for Avant Arte.
He returns to the same few set-ups: bouquets, mandalas and tabletops, which he describes as “a defined space, an arena for things to happen”, according to artdaily. His Bufly paintings take their name from his son’s way of saying butterfly. In the Whiteout series, begun in 2015, he paints white over colourful pictures; the newer Blackout works do the same in black.
He represented San Marino at the 2024 Venice Biennale. Phaidon publishes Eddie Martinez: 20 Years of Painting in November 2026.
Eddie Martinez: the essentials
- Born in 1977; based in New York, according to Timothy Taylor.
- First developed his practice in Boston, according to Galerie Max Hetzler.
- Represented by Timothy Taylor in London and by Galerie Max Hetzler.
- Represented the Republic of San Marino at the 60th Venice Biennale in 2024.
Eddie Martinez exhibitions
- Purple Flopper, Galerie Max Hetzler, Paris, 2026, with new Blackout paintings and painted bronzes.
- Super Duper, Gallery Met, Metropolitan Opera, New York, 2025.
- Studio Wall Redux, Timothy Taylor, Frieze London, 2023.
- The Sleeping Procession (group), Cass Sculpture Foundation, Goodwood, 26 November 2017 to 25 February 2018.
Where to buy Eddie Martinez
His paintings sell through his galleries, with prices on request. The easiest buy in the UK is the new book:
- Eddie Martinez: 20 Years of Painting, £49.95: Phaidon, hardback, 256 pages, 32 x 22.8 cm, on pre-order and shipping from 26 November 2026, from Phaidon.
Eddie Martinez FAQs
What are Eddie Martinez’s Buflys?
Paintings named after his son’s childhood way of saying butterfly.
Which gallery represents Eddie Martinez in London?
Timothy Taylor.
Is there a book on Eddie Martinez?
Yes. Phaidon publishes Eddie Martinez: 20 Years of Painting, £49.95, shipping from 26 November 2026.
Did Eddie Martinez show at the Venice Biennale?
Yes. He represented San Marino at the 60th Biennale in 2024.
More from CoolCuration
- Frieze London review: our take on this year’s fair.
- Cecily Brown at the Serpentine review: another painter of loose, crowded canvases.
- Great Art Explained: a book for anyone curious about how paintings work.
- Gifts for artists: our edit of presents for people who make things.
Think we’re missing something, got something wrong, or want to be featured? Contact us.
Main image: Eddie Martinez in his studio, 2024. Photo: Jason Schmidt, courtesy Timothy Taylor. Cropped and framed by CoolCuration. Exhibition dates and prices last checked: 27 October 2026.
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