Martha Wade explores the richness and complexities of black people in her solo exhibition, we are the black gold of the sun, a phrase coined by a close collector friend. The sun motif, along with stars, and strong spirit animals such as bears and whales are recurring motifs in her work to personify strength, grandeur, longevity and vitality. This is especially embodied in response to the times of social unrest, distress and duress, that often fall at the feet of black people and people of color. Through her work, Wade seeks to depict her subjects as larger than life in stature alongside architectural line-work and cityscapes, and full of life and color. The grains and shades of her wooden palettes become the skin tones of her subjects, and represent the journey around the sun — both in material and the lives of the individuals. Wade lets the work speak for itself and returns back to the basics of illustration by creating detailed line works with ink, and remixes her own work through collage, mixed media, and works from her father, also an artist.
Wade wants the viewer to remember when looking at her work, there is always light in darkness, and we are always the brightest stars.