Exhibition Willi Martinali; painter with needle and thread

Willi Martinali was born in Beek en Donk 110 years ago. During his turbulent life, he proved to be an extremely versatile man. From self-taught to full-fledged artist. Art stage ‘t Oude Raadhuis is now hosting an exhibition called “Willi Martinali; Painter with needle and thread”.

Initially, he focused on painting, mostly of Biblical subjects such as Madonnas. He painted ‘Rich Roman life’, but according to his own interpretation. Titles such as ‘Those who send me to hell’, ‘Never let go’ and ‘Playing God’ speak volumes. In the 1950s, besides painting with paint, he increasingly switched to ‘painting’ with needle and thread. He worked with and on all kinds of textiles, even ceramic compositions and applications combined with fine embroidery. He was constantly experimenting with materials, techniques; binding and painting techniques. His garden was full of herbs/crops that he used to dye (embroidery) wool, linen and cotton. Willi was well-read, widely informed and interested. A talented storyteller, he managed to gather many people around him; students, local residents, and contact with Brabant artists: such as Peer van de Molengraft, Harrie Pardoel, Jan van Gemert, Harrie Maas, his cousin Jack Harden but also Hendrik Wiegersma. Writers and poets; were also regular visitors to Deurne with him: Frans Babylon and Leo der Kinderen.

In 1944, Willi Martinali's work was first shown at the Van Abbe Museum during a competition exhibition. In 1952, Frans Babylon organised ‘Folk art and painting’ in Helmond. Martinali showed brightly coloured explosions like a passionate expressionist. In 1953, the exhibition ‘11 Brabant artists’ (with Harrie Pardoel, Gerard Pincée and Nico Molenkamp) at the van Abbe Museum was instrumental in making his name known. In 1978, his one-man exhibition took place at Museum de Wieger, Deune. In the late 1970s until his death in 1983, he worked increasingly abstractly. He remained unconventional, averse to classical rules and with enormous drive and creativity with a style all his own. Art critic Hans Redeker wrote about him: ‘His needlework is among the most authentic oeuvres we know. He makes art of great class and is not only a Brabant artist but also a figure of national significance'.

Part of his large textile oeuvre will be displayed from the estate of Joachim Rooijackers. The Art Café in small-group conversation about the works of Willi Martinali is on 31 October from 2pm to 3.30pm. You can register via the email address.