ashley martin is an artist and community advocate. Her work is deeply intertwined with her commitment to justice, empowerment, and the celebration of Black identity. Ashley’s paintings explore the complexities of Black skin, capturing movement, texture, and hue to express a layered human experience marked by resilience, vulnerability, and grace. Her art celebrates the nuances of Black womanness and the diversity of Black bodies, with recent series like Bodies in Space, The Couch, and Finding Home focusing on vulnerability, embodiment, and the journey toward belonging. In each piece, ashley honors the individuality and power of Black women’s bodies, finding beauty and depth in each curve and contour.

ashley’s artistic practice is an evolving tribute to Blackness, challenging the misconception of Black as the absence of color by embracing vibrant palettes that reflect the warmth, complexity, and richness of Black and brown skin. Her series, Bodies in Space, began as a grounding practice during the COVID-19 pandemic and celebrates the physicality and strength of Black women, honoring body parts that are often shamed. The Couch meditates on the presence and ease of Black bodies within spaces, encouraging viewers to consider the quiet power of softness and self-assuredness. Following the loss of her father, ashley began Finding Home as an exploration of memory, security, and home, capturing self-portraits in various spaces that held meaning throughout her journey. Together, these series serve as both personal reflections and universal calls for healing, resilience, and self-acceptance.

Alongside her artistic pursuits, ashley has channeled her dedication to uplifting marginalized communities into her role as a Community Engagement Internship Coordinator for The Ohio State University. Building on her experience in education, youth mentorship, and program management, ashley designed and implemented a community engagement internship program that bridges the gap between professional development and social impact. This program pairs young adults with local arts organizations and community placements, offering hands-on experience in the art administration and community programming. During the time in this program, the interns foster skills in advocacy, career readiness, and community collaboration. Through her leadership, ashley ensures that interns are exposed to critical issues within the arts sector while gaining the confidence and skills to lead change within their communities.

ashley’s work—whether on the canvas or in the community—embodies a commitment to freedom, self-expression, and radical self-care. Her art creates space for those who engage with it to find ease, confront societal expectations, and reclaim their narratives. She believes that each piece and community initiative has the power to heal, inspire, and uplift. By sharing her creative journey and inviting others into her process, ashley hopes to foster connections, encourage body positivity, and inspire others to exist unapologetically in their fullest, most authentic selves.