Patrick Martinez was born in Los Angeles in 1980 to mixed race parents of Filipino, Mexican, and Native American descent. He spent his childhood residing in Los Angeles which influences much of his art. He is known for mixed media landscape, painting, and neon artwork that often speaks out for diversity and justice. His work has been exhibited all over the world but can be seen at LACMA as well as the Charlie James Gallery in Los Angeles. The importance of diversity, immigration, and racism are all common themes of his work, which aims to shed light upon the growing issue of inequality. Growing up in Los Angeles, California, Patrick Martinez has recounted unfair interactions with police officers. These interactions with law enforcement often left him feeling harassed. One of his first known pieces is his Pee- Chee All Season Portfolio, which was a collection of illustrations, doodles, and helpful tips for how to conduct oneself during a police encounter. Many of his works draw upon feelings of profiling and mistreatment from police. The art of Patrick Martinez often falls into the category of Social History of Art. This is because many of his pieces are indistinguishably linked to social and political events that occurred at the same time he created them. These social events which occurring alongside his art gave them context in how the art should be viewed.
