In vividly colored drawings, ceramics, and woodwork, John Martin combines memories of his childhood on a farm in Mississippi with his present life in Oakland. Martin commonly depicts images of trucks, snakes, pocket knives, cell phones, and other items from his collection of found objects. His interpretations describe their function yet subvert practicality through his outrageous animal mash-ups, oversized Leatherman tools, and mysterious text. A wry sense of humor is evident in all his compositions, translating utilitarian imagery into a graphic and animated aesthetic. His wry sense of humor is evident in all his compositions, as he translates utilitarian imagery into a graphic and animated aesthetic.