Alexandra Martin is a painter and photographer living and working on Gadigal land in Sydney, Australia. Her interdisciplinary practice explores addiction as a form of escapism from low self-esteem, probing the fragile boundaries between reality, delusion, and fantasy.
Combining photography and painting, Martin often layers paint over original giclée photographs, presents photographic mono prints, or paints directly as her eye functions as the camera. In this way, a photographic underpinning is always present, though not always visible, mirroring the insidious nature of addiction itself. Her approach interrogates whether photography authentically captures reality or merely constructs illusory fantasies.
Born and raised in south-western Australia, Martin studied art and photography, graduating with a Bachelor of Photography from Griffith University, Queensland College of Art. Her work has been exhibited throughout galleries in Australia and overseas, engaging audiences with its introspective examination of vulnerability and perception.
Martin's works create layers of escape and illusion, reflecting personal struggles with addiction. Her works have now evolved into a profound act of healing, enabling her to process buried emotions, reclaim authenticity, and transform pain into presence.