An Evening With Martin Frias
To most people, the artists and rock stars that shook the world are glossy magazine clips and rumors, but to Martin Frias, they were friends. Frias arrived at allison sprock fine art with curator, Zoya Conover, and an entourage of his own vibrant paintings and photography, shipped from Barcelona. When the blue door swung open on an evening of artwork, hors d’oeuvres, wine, live music, and stories, the gallery had transformed into a soiree. Frias floated among the guests, posing for photos, joking, and answering questions.
Famous for his photographs of Freddie Mercury, Robert Plant, Mick Jagger, Lou Reed, Ozzy Osborne, David Bowie, Jim Morrison, and many others, Frias knew them as more than models and muses. The exhibit featured photos of Mick Jagger and a portrait of Jim Morrison, but Frias had stories about everyone. In the 70’s, he founded Popular1, the second largest rock and roll magazine in the world. Last week, the magazine celebrated its 45th anniversary. Frias’s book, Pasion Inmortal & The Man in Black, features even more stories collected throughout his fascinating life.
Although rock reflects strongly in his photography, Frias’s connections go far beyond the stage. He is known for his close friendship and professional collaboration with prominent Spanish surrealist, Salvador Dali. The exhibit included several photographs of the artist, a painted portrait of him peeking from behind his famous mustache, and a piece inspired by Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory.” As the crowded room quieted for his speech, Frias recounted his first meeting with the famous artist. He remembered passing a champagne test Dali devised and becoming an honored guest with free access to his house at all times.
Familiar with rock and revolutionary artists, he was also no stranger to royalty. Perhaps one of his most impressive commissions, Frias painted portraits and captured photographs of Princess Grace Kelly for the Royal Family of Monaco. Frias gestured to a captivatingly colorful portrait of the princess in her tiara, remembering the past. For eight years, from 1994 to 2002, he served in the Royal Artistic Circle of Barcelona as Art Director and member of the Governing Board, and remains a powerful force on the European art scene.
The same magic, elegance, and mystery that cling to Frias’s life shine in his paintings. His latest exhibit features a selection of pieces printed on aluminum. He explained that this extremely difficult process requires tremendous precision and time. When finished, the results are breathtaking. The colors shimmer and the images radiate dimension with an almost reflective quality. Frias’s paintings are equally impressive. Spectators gathered around his painted ballet display. The dancers are rendered in rich oils, expressive and graceful.
After staying with Allison for five days, Martin Frias returned to Barcelona, but his beautiful work remains with allison sprock fine art.
Written by Gabrielle Girard
