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Martin's work is a meditation of lines; a language of characters, creatures and messages that invites viewers to share a role in the creative process.
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Autobiographical and dreamlike, Martin bridges the fine art and commercial world, as well as the objects, places and conversations of the everyday experience.
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From early beginnings with live performance drawing in the mega clubs of Tokyo, to her trademark continuous line, Martin's diverse work navigates many worlds.
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THE PATH: TIMES SQUARE
2024
This past fall, Shantell Martin encouraged New Yorkers to pause and find a meditative moment in Times Square with *The Path: A Meditation of Lines*, the artist’s first-ever walking path painted onto the Broadway plaza between 47th and 48th Streets. Designed to transform one of the city’s busiest places into a space for contemplation, the 160-foot-long mural was accompanied by guided meditations, performances, and DJ sets.
Featuring Martin’s signature black-and-white drawings that playfully explored themes of intersectionality and self-discovery, *The Path: A Meditation of Lines* was a sprawling walking maze that invited viewers to navigate its intricate lines. As one followed the twisting, turning path north, the words "You are in the right place at the right time" appeared along with other phrases that signified the forward motion of a journey, whether physical or metaphorical, made possible through contemplation and inward reflection.
"Walking, much like drawing, can empower you and move you forward — both metaphorically and physically. Putting one foot in front of the other is a simple yet powerful act, and I hope that this message and activity was translated through this project with Times Square," said Shantell Martin.
During its 51 days on view, Times Square Arts estimated that over 1,825,000 people encountered The Path. The experience featured forty-four free meditations, sixteen mellow and mindful DJ sets showcasing thirty-two individual DJs, and an artist-led audio guide translated into seven languages, along with English and ASL.
