KOBY MARTIN (b. 1988, Ghana) is a Ghanaian-born and British-based artist. His work is shaped by his personal experience, a reflection of his Ghanian origins in relation to the Western and Contemporary practices of his craft- where traits of his African descent and life in Europe thus far are consistently reflected, influencing the narratives of his pieces.
Koby’s work is an introspective, autobiographical exploration of his life. He believes that knowing oneself is pivotal in exploring any subject matter, as it shapes our perspective on the psychological and physical experiences we encounter daily. His work portrays the inclusive human experience of dealing with emotions, memories, thoughts, and feelings that we all undeniably feel. As his work evolves, it also tackles various subjects outside of his usual themes, including topics such as identity and social and racial injustice, reflecting the epochs of the past and documenting the events of the present.
Through emotive figures, subjects, and abstract forms, he beautifully captures the duality of courage and sadness in the figures' body language, while using space and setting (e.g., the walls) to communicate events that have taken place. Some works do this with or without the use of subjects, while others incorporate relatable elements, objects, and symbols, such as 'Adinkra symbols' from Ghana.
In 2023, after his successful group exhibition in Los Angeles with Goodmother gallery, Koby was invited by Gagosian’s Associate Director, Peju Oshin to exhibit in the yearly prestigious ING DISCERNING EYE exhibition at the Mall Gallery.