Martel Chapman is an American contemporary painter celebrated for his bold, jazz-inspired abstractions that fuse rhythm, color, and movement into a vibrant visual language. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Chapman is a self-taught artist who has drawn lifelong inspiration from the improvisational energy of jazz music, particularly bebop and the Harlem Renaissance era.
Working primarily in acrylics, Chapman translates sound into form, creating compositions that mirror the syncopation, harmony, and spontaneity of music. His paintings often feature angular shapes, rhythmic linework, and vibrant palettes, evoking the dynamism of musicians such as Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane. Each canvas becomes a kind of visual improvisation, echoing the improvisational spirit of jazz itself.
Chapman’s work has been exhibited in galleries and cultural institutions throughout the United States, and his paintings are held in private collections of both art lovers and jazz enthusiasts. His art has also been featured in jazz festivals and publications, cementing his reputation as one of the foremost interpreters of jazz in contemporary visual art.
Through his work, Martel Chapman bridges music and painting, offering viewers a dynamic sensory experience that celebrates both the history and the living energy of jazz.
