Customer Reviews

Unbroken Poetry : The Work of Enrique Martinez Celaya

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I am surprised and disappointed with the reader from Michigan that gave such a bad review to this great book. It is this reader who has the distorting biases not Brodzky. While I did not agree completely with Brodzky's analysis of the work, it is clear that Martínez Celaya is one of most intelligent and serious artists working today. I found the interviews and the comments from the artist revealing and clear. His work is obviously difficult but rewarding to those of us who take the time to think about it. I strongly recommended it.

I find this book, like the majority of the artist's work, to be hauntingly beautiful and profound. Unlike many of his contemporaries in the Los Angeles art world, Martinez Celaya's work, to me, has extraordinary depth and intelligence. He is willing to take risks and isn't into what is hot, trendy or easy but prefers--in his paintings, poems and photographs--to take the viewer or reader to a new place--to a place where there are layers of questions rather than easy answers. Brodzky's book is a fantastic introduction to the work of a phenomenally creative mind and exquisite painter. I highly recommend it.

"Unbroken Poetry" looks into the relationship of Martinez Celaya's works and his entire life: childhood, school, family. While reading, I mainly focused on Martinez Celaya's words rather than Brodzky's in order to find a feel for the artist. Seeing works in person and in this book, the stories and events that are mentioned elaborate on the inspirations of his work, or rather the questions that he is exploring. The answers are not always in the painting, but in the exploration. Martinez Celaya states that, "[Some memories] do not present themselves easily as answers." The information that Brodzky makes available to us through her interpretations and Martinez Celaya's works and words is greatly helpful in beginning to understanding such a respected artist.

"Unbroken Poetry" examines the ways Enrique Martinez Celaya views life and its relation to his work. Brodsky explains a language of images or symbols that frequently appear in his work and tells a story of how these images, interwoven from memory and the experience of life, function for the artist. This language is in an attempt to find answers of truths and understandings of life and the questions of its joys and sorrows. The text describes the work of Martinez Celaya both in the imagery of the work and the intellectual mechanism which drives it. Images are thoughtfully placed throughout which help the reader contextualize the deep and rigorous thought of the artist.
At the conclusion of the essay there are two interviews with the artist, which are discussions on the role of art, science and philosophy. These discussions present an additional perspective, helping the reader understand the many facets of Martinez Celaya's work. "Unbroken Poetry" provides unique insight into Enrique and his art, while also demystifying the complex ideas explored by contemporary artists like himself.