Art Farm Iowa is excited to host renowned graffiti artist to paint a mural showcasing the ‘Malibu Penit’. Jel Martinez is one of the most significant and versatile graffiti artists creating today. The project has been planned for over three years and will be realized in October 2024. The Malibu Penit (also called the Malibu Houses) was an area that became an epicenter for graffiti writers in Miami. The name “The Penit” came from another area in Miami that was an abandoned building intended to be a Penitentiary — resulting in the name ‘The Penit’ — which was then applied to other graffiti areas in Miami. These ‘Penits’ became locations where Miami graffiti writers learned and showcased their writing skills. Jel will be re-interpreting one of the walls of the ‘Malibu Penit’ with an 8’ x 20’ wall.

ABOUT JEL

Jel Martinez, Cuban American born in 1976 in Miami, Florida, currently resides and creates within the vibrant urban landscape of Miami. His artistic vision is deeply rooted in the intriguing process of vandalism removal. Martinez’s practice originated from graffiti art in the late 80s as an original member of the Ink Heads Crew. He astutely observes the paradox wherein metropolitan cleanup crews dismantle one form of art only to give rise to another. In his paintings, he seamlessly merges earlier artistic influences with a figurative style known as “buffs,” bestowing upon his work a distinct post-modern aesthetic. These “buffs” manifest as contemporary patterns, resulting in a captivating visual tapestry.

Drawing from his immersion in modern-day contemporary culture, Martinez infuses his work with a fresh interpretation of expressionism. His canvases mirror the intricate layers found in the urban environment. His artistic language incorporates elements of texture, acrylic, enamel, oil, and ink. These materials converge to form a mosaic of free-floating patches of color, akin to the buffs found in urban settings.

Jel’s work is available at the Wynwood Art Gallery in Miami, the Official Gallery of the Museum of Graffiti.