Holly Ballard Martz

Holly Ballard Martz is a multidisciplinary artist whose sculptural and installation-based work bridges conceptual inquiry with a deep reverence for craft. Known for her meticulous fabrication and material sensitivity, Martz transforms familiar objects—textiles, domestic tools, vintage ephemera—into intricately constructed pieces that challenge cultural norms and power structures.  

Her practice honors traditional craft techniques while subverting their historical associations, using embellishment, repetition, and precision to explore themes such as gender roles, reproductive justice, and gun violence. By embedding provocative content within beautifully crafted surfaces, Martz invites viewers to engage with difficult subject matter through the lens of material beauty.  

She has received numerous awards, including a McMillen Foundation Fellowship, a Seattle Office of Arts and Culture CityArtist Award, and she was a 2022 Neddy Artist Award Finalist. Martz’s work is held in public and private collections including the Gates Foundation, the University of Washington, the City of Seattle, and the Port of Seattle.