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Bio
Dorothée Martens was born and raised in the historic city of Bruges in Belgium. Although she grew up surrounded by the rich heritage of centuries of European art and architecture, her connection with the European contemporary art movement was her most important influence. Ms. Martens’ father, a well-known European stained-glass artist and master of glass sculpture, created a home environment for the family that was a perfect stage for this modern art experience. She traveled throughout Europe to familiarize herself with the “old masters” as well as the “avant garde” artists. Fascinated by the various cultures of the world she studied political science and international affairs at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. After graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelors of Arts degree she moved to Lima, Peru. Traveling throughout South America and Central America she explored and nurtured her passion for art and archeology. While living in Lima, Ms. Martens did extensive independent research in Pre-Columbian weaving design and techniques at the Museo Nacional de Antropologia y Archeologia. She also traveled to Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Bolivia, and Mexico to continue her research. She was fascinated by the intricate architecture and design of weaving techniques. She later moved to Panama City, Panama, and since 1979 resides in Salt Lake City, where she designed a beautiful contemporary home overlooking the valley, which she shares with her children Beau and Maya.
Ms. Martens’ direct first-hand experience of the rich cultures of Europe and the Americas has enhanced her innate artistic ability to see and to create innovative designs and to use materials in unexpected ways. A rich life experience and disciplined research provides Ms. Martens with a trained and acute eye that is the foundation of her art. She has expressed her creativity through various disciplines such as sculpture, photography, weaving, fashion design, interior design, and landscape architecture.
Her work has been purchased for private collections in Belgium, the Netherlands, Curacao, and the United States.