Mars-1

×

Mars-1

Artist Tip Amount:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Mars-1

Mario Martinez, known professionally as Mars-1, was born in Boulder, Colorado and raised in Fresno, California.

He began his creative journey through graffiti and street art, later studying at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. It was during this time that his signature visual language began to emerge — a layered, surreal abstraction rooted in science fiction, metaphysics, and systems theory.

He works primarily in painting, sculpture, and installation, developing deeply textured compositions that explore interdimensional space and energetic form. His work is often described as visionary abstraction, existing at the intersection of sacred geometry, biomorphic architecture, and altered states of consciousness.

Central to Mars-1’s vision is the exploration of invisible structures — forms that breathe, bend, and evolve with the viewer. Each piece is a meditation on perception, movement, and complexity. Inspired by his Chicano background and experiences within psychedelic culture, his work blends cosmic symbolism with emotional depth.

Mars-1 has spoken or been featured at conferences and cultural events such as Psychedelic Science (MAPS), Burning Man, and various academic art panels. His work has been published in Juxtapoz Magazine, Psychedelic Scene Magazine, and featured in collaborative projects with artists like Alex Grey, Damon Soule, and Ralph Steadman.

He has created original artwork for book covers, vinyl toys, murals, and commemorative event pieces including Bicycle Day and other visionary art festivals. His exhibitions span internationally, including solo shows at Jonathan LeVine Gallery (New York), FFDG (San Francisco), Meta Gallery (Toronto), and VPF Cream Art Gallery (Lisbon).

Mars-1’s work is held in several private and institutional collections and continues to influence the global psychedelic art movement.

He is currently based in San Francisco, California, where he keeps his main studio.

USA

Mario Martinez, known professionally as Mars-1, was born in Boulder, Colorado and raised in Fresno, California.

He began his creative journey through graffiti and street art, later studying at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. It was during this time that his signature visual language began to emerge — a layered, surreal abstraction rooted in science fiction, metaphysics, and systems theory.

He works primarily in painting, sculpture, and installation, developing deeply textured compositions that explore interdimensional space and energetic form. His work is often described as visionary abstraction, existing at the intersection of sacred geometry, biomorphic architecture, and altered states of consciousness.

Central to Mars-1’s vision is the exploration of invisible structures — forms that breathe, bend, and evolve with the viewer. Each piece is a meditation on perception, movement, and complexity. Inspired by his Chicano background and experiences within psychedelic culture, his work blends cosmic symbolism with emotional depth.

Mars-1 has spoken or been featured at conferences and cultural events such as Psychedelic Science (MAPS), Burning Man, and various academic art panels. His work has been published in Juxtapoz Magazine, Psychedelic Scene Magazine, and featured in collaborative projects with artists like Alex Grey, Damon Soule, and Ralph Steadman.

He has created original artwork for book covers, vinyl toys, murals, and commemorative event pieces including Bicycle Day and other visionary art festivals. His exhibitions span internationally, including solo shows at Jonathan LeVine Gallery (New York), FFDG (San Francisco), Meta Gallery (Toronto), and VPF Cream Art Gallery (Lisbon).

Mars-1’s work is held in several private and institutional collections and continues to influence the global psychedelic art movement.

He is currently based in San Francisco, California, where he keeps his main studio.

USA