Inside the studio with art icon Antonio Martorell

A special invitation to experience the inspiration behind his work

One of Puerto Rico’s most significant and colorful art icons is Antonio Martorell, a multifaceted artist who has excelled in various artistic expressions, as well as in the world of literature and journalism, among other avenues of art and communication.

Famous for his extensive collection of wide-brimmed and side-swept hats combined with colorful and elegant attire, Martorell has received numerous prestigious awards, both locally and internationally. 

The “maestro,” as many refer to him enjoys mentoring and educating others. He always practices it, multiplying his art through the many projects he undertakes. Martorell has not finished one artistic venture before starting several others. 

In Ponce, Martorell nourishes his artistic roots in his studio where a group of aspiring artists gather daily, eager to develop their talent under his expert guide. He not only mentors them, but they, in return inspire him with other perceptions to continue learning, exploring new techniques and artistic expressions. Even though he is always focused on his next creation with a fresh project, Puerto Rico is always present in Martorell’s work.

“All children are artists. I was lucky that one of my aunts saw me draw and thought I had talent, ¨ said Martorell. “I took lessons from a drawing teacher in the neighborhood and was so excited that I told my mother I wanted to be an artist, and she freaked out. She told me I would die of hunger.” 

Martorell´s mother reaction scared him away from art for over ten years. However, he decided that art was what truly brought him joy.

Stepping into his studio called Taller de la Playa de Ponce situated on the southern coast of the island, it feels almost like a spiritual experience. 

Located on Calle Salmon, just steps from the beach in Ponce, his workspace and residence welcome anyone eager to step inside and learn more about his work. Martorell gives guided tours and talks about his inspirations, creative process, and what is next on his agenda, which is always focused around his love for Puerto Rico. 

Surrounded by paintings, engravings, books, sculptures, and other forms of art, visitors who enter Martorell´s world that begins with the Jardin Secreto, a place where nature blends with his creations that include sculptures of arms, hands, and diverse artistic forms; are in for a delightful and enriching cultural experience.

With the experience of eight decades of life experiences, Martorell´s journey is shaped by his likes and dislikes. He does not just paint, he voices things he agrees with and enjoys, as well as those he opposes. For this reason, Martorell believes artists possess a valuable tool to express themselves.

“Once you start, it is very easy to cross the boundaries between one art form and another. I began making posters and book illustrations. I also worked in journalism for years. I think it is a great way to shed light on what others are doing. In a country like ours, which desperately needs a respectable image, that is what artists are good for,” Martorell added.

Martorell´s common element is the human figure. 

“What annoys us, also makes us experience joy and pain,” Martorell said. In his art pieces, he also includes landscapes and writing. He also shares that one of his mentors, Lorenzo Homar taught him about the beauty of letters, which are more than carriers of ideas.

The sense of community that can be sensed at Playa de Ponce reminds him of Santurce, the place where he was born and raised. 

Though the town of Cayey was his home for 25 years. He lived there as a resident artist of the University of Puerto Rico. But a fire in 2006 destroyed his work. 

An exhibition at the Museo de Ponce brought him to this specific town, he was looking for a space to store a large piece of work and that´s how he arrived to the Taller de La Playa de Ponce, a place that has become his studio and home ever since.

The sense of community that can be sensed at Playa de Ponce reminds him of Santurce, the place where he was born and raised. 

“I am grateful to have made the decision to come to Ponce with everything—studio, storage, space, exhibition, and housing. It is a spacious place, with amazing light and a great neighborhood, just like Santurce when I was growing up, in the 1940’s and 1950’s. The people are very welcoming and the sense of community is unique,” said Martorell. 

Martorell welcomes children and adults from schools, senior centers, and universities as well as friends and tourists.

“We are making a series of documentaries for television and YouTube called Antonio Martorell, the story of Playa de Ponce, and Art through the Knowledge and Learning of Life. There are already four episodes online and we are working on the fifth,” said Martorell. In total there will be 10 episodes. 

Mapas is one of his most recent projects. This exhibition is at Galeria Petrus as a bold attempt to portray the world from Martorell´s perspective, blending geography and cartography. 

Additionally, Martorell alongside Dr. Daniel Colon Ramos from the University of Yale is developing an endeavor that merges neuroscience and art. 

Also, Martorell was part of the Jornada del Grabado Puertorriqueño with an exhibition at the Museo de San Juan that brought together print art from some of the best local artists, including his own works. Additionally, Galeria Vista Alegre opened “La Playa en Vista Alegre: An Exhibition of Antonio Martorell and his Friends.”

Martorell had the opportunity to make a portrait of Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, which now hangs in the United States Congress. It was the first of its kind by an artist from Puerto Rico. 

The official portrait of Velazquez was unveiled on September 2024. It was a painting very different from the official framework, the unique piece blend Velazquez’s two backgrounds: her Puerto Rican identity as well as professional and political development in New York. 

Also, the University of La Habana awarded Martorell an honorary doctorate. His recognition in Cuba was in November of last year, on the context of the 15 Bienal de La Habana.

“It was a heartfelt tribute because it was also the place where Lola Rodriguez de Tio received her doctorate degree,” Martorell said.

Another important recognition in his career was when President Joe Biden honored Martorell with the National Medal of Arts on March 21, 2023. This is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the federal government, in his case for transcending generation and genre through art, exposing hard truths with whimsy and color that help the people remember and grow as a nation.

Back on the island, a photovoltaic system was installed at his studio in collaboration with Casa Pueblo, a community-based organization focused on sustainable development and environmental protection. Previously, the artist had created portraits of the co-founder of the organization, Tinti Deya Diaz, and her son Ariel Massol Deya, among other artistic collaborations. 

Within the many places that Martorell´s work can be seen is at El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo with an engraving from his Catalog of Interior Plants, made in 1980. In addition, his permanent work “El Arbol de la Vida” can be found at the Performing Arts Center in Caguas. And there are many other pieces that the public can discover both on the island and abroad.

“In Puerto Rico there is a strong sense of belonging between the artist and the community, and vice versa. I enjoy the widespread recognition, it´s very gratifying because one realizes that what we do communicates, it is not just decoration,¨ said Martorell. “It reflects the joys and sorrows of our people.”

Martorell acknowledges that there is a promising future for artists on the island. He pointed out that Puerto Rico is home to several art schools and many museums, which help and encourage the formation of art.

Among his many contributions, Martorell has published five books, combining images and words. He also noted that he has four more in drawers, already fully written but with an uncertain publication date. The most recent one (Prendas de Vestir y Desvestir), he said, was published a year ago, but it had been 30 years in the making.

“I am very methodical. I walk along the boardwalk by the beach, do some exercises, come back, have breakfast, shower, and work. The team arrives at 9 a.m. and stays until 5 p.m. They leave, and sometimes I continue working. We always have lunch together; it is a tradition. Those who work here know there is a sense of community. Art is an exercise of freedom and will,” Martorell said.

For those who wish to visit his studio, you must write to 
antoniomartorellpr@gmail.com as visits are by appointment only.