Unattended Grief

Unattended Grief is an interactive installation that transforms the gallery into the childhood bedroom the artist never had. Shaped by memories of instability, constant moves, and growing up as the third of eight siblings without personal space, Martinez reimagines a room of solace, curiosity, and self-expression.

Every element in the space is crafted by hand in the artist’s woodshop, including a bed, dresser, nightstand, and drafting table. The room is filled with the objects that once inspired him: action figures, comics, art books, and materials for creative play. Viewers are invited to wander, open drawers, and handle the works they discover. Some objects are intended to be taken, creating a sense of exchange and continuity between the artist’s memories and the audience’s experiences.

The installation blurs the boundaries between artwork and play space, encouraging visitors to reconnect with their own childhood selves through curiosity and making. Art supplies are available for use, transforming the room into a living studio where creation is ongoing throughout the duration of the exhibition. When the show concludes, Martinez will donate all of the hand-built furniture to a child in need, extending the work’s gesture of care and imagination beyond the gallery walls.

Through this act of building and sharing, Martinez confronts long-buried emotions and unattended grief, channeling them into a space of imagination, resilience, and communal reflection.

Artist Bio:

Joseph Martinez (b. 1983, Denver) is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans oil painting, watercolor, and woodworking. His work evokes emotional resonance, reflecting on personal history and broader human experiences, while seeking ways to connect with others through shared vulnerability and curiosity.

Martinez’s work has been exhibited at Abend Gallery, Soze Gallery, FIFTY24SF, Thinkspace, and Shooting Gallery, among others. A self-taught artist, he has developed his practice through years of dedicated studio work and exploration outside of formal training. Recently, Martinez has reconnected with his early love of comic books, a source of inspiration that continues to shape both his imagery and his sense of curiosity in the studio.

He currently lives and works in Denver, Colorado, where he is further exploring woodworking alongside his role as an assistant cross-country coach at Niwot High School.