The Martha Alf Foundation was established in 2020 to foster the legacy of Martha Alf’s life and work. The Foundation provides financial resources to nurture the artistic development of visual art students in Southern California.
The nationally celebrated, Los Angeles-based artist Martha Alf (b. August 13, 1930 – d. September 13, 2019) had an art career that spanned five decades. She had a special gift for giving life, beauty, and often personality to mundane objects. Alf was best known for her critically acclaimed toilet paper roll or “cylinder” paintings, which were featured in the Whitney Museum of American Art’s 1975 Biennial. Her pastel drawings of pears were also widely recognized and she has fondly been described as “the Vermeer of Pears.” Johannes Vermeer was her favorite artist.
Alf's art has been included in 42 solo exhibitions and over 87 group exhibitions… READ MORE
Martha Alf was a student of light and space, which shaped all of her work. She had a distinct gift for giving life, beauty, and often personality to mundane objects. Martha has fondly been described as “the Vermeer of Pears.” Johannes Vermeer was her favorite artist.
The Martha Alf Foundation provides financial resources to artists working towards their MFA so they may focus on their work. Funding can be used to create new work… LEARN MORE
News & Events
