MEDIA BACKGROUNDER

Martha Sturdy represents three decades of artistic evolution. She graduated from Emily Carr University of Art and Design specializing in sculpture, with a primary focus in metals.

Martha started her career designing jewelry and was quickly established internationally when her designs graced the covers of fashion magazines worldwide.

In 1990, Martha Sturdy launched an innovative collection of resin tabletop and home accessories. She started selling to a new industry and expanded her global clientele. Doors opened for international sales through trade shows in Paris, New York and London. Martha began to work with many of the world’s top designers.

Martha’s innate desire to create pushed her designs even further. Her home decor pieces evolved into larger creations, such as twelve foot brass dining tables, seven foot steel plates, resin floating tables and sculptural club chairs. Martha became known for the massive scale of her work.

In 2000, Martha turned back to her artistic roots in sculpture. She experimented with steel, resin and acid washes as mediums for painting. Martha used steel as a canvas, with resin and acid wash as her paint brush. She introduced these painted works, standing steel sculptures, weaves made of brass and steel, plus three dimensional sculptures that used both solid resin shapes and steel. Her artwork won the appreciation of designers, artists and collectors.

Martha continues to push the boundaries of modern art and design as she directs her energy and passion toward inventive new works. Her creative mediums include steel, brass, aluminum, resin and wood. Martha’s latest innovation incorporates techniques of splitting, burning, and wire brushing wood from cedar trees. Each piece of Martha’s artwork is created at her farm in Pemberton, BC, Canada. Martha Sturdy also has a studio and gallery in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

In 2002, Martha was presented with a Golden Jubilee Medal from the Governor General of Canada. In 2005, she was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. In 2006, Martha Sturdy received an Honorary Doctorate from Emily Carr University of Art and Design.

Media Contact
Rachelle Peters
604.872.5205