The work of Amsterdam based visual artist Martijn Sandberg (1967) constantly explores border areas, such as the tension between text and image, legibility and illegibility, the private and the public domain. “I make Image Messages, image is message is image.” The image hides the message.
In the cut paintings 'Sorry No Image Yet' and 'Too Busy To Paint' there is a subtle play between the language of the image and the significance of the image, and this gives rise to questions. Here, the lack of image seems to be elevated to an image by the artist.
The direct relationship between the image, the material bearing the image and the environment is also expressed in his site-specific works in public space and architecture. As in 'If These Walls Could Speak' that can be viewed in the lifts at the Public Library Amsterdam, and the artwork 'I Will Survive' recently located at the border of a burial ground in Hardenberg, The Netherlands.

Martijn Sandberg, 1967 NL, visual artist, creates Image Messages, lives in Amsterdam. 1986-1991 HKU Academy of Arts, dpt. Fine Art, Utrecht; 1990-1991 Rijks Academy of Fine Arts, dpt. Fine Art, Amsterdam. Exhibitions and projects since 1992 throughout Europe. Selected site-specific artworks in public spaces and architecture: 'We're Only In It For The Money', SVB Bank, Zaandam, NL (2000); 'Power To The People', transformer station, Hoofddorpplein, Amsterdam, NL (2000); 'No Image No Message', Pizzart Cafe, Fribourg, CH (2003); 'Forever Young', OSG Singelland College, Drachten, NL (2005); ‘Hallo, Is Daar Iemand?’ ('Hello, Is Anybody Out There?'), 'Ben Even Weg' ('Out For A Moment'), Floriande, Hoofddorp, NL (2007); ‘If These Walls Could Speak’, Centrale Bibliotheek, Amsterdam, NL (2007); 'Pas op! Kunst!' ('Watch out! Art!'), Dropstuff.nl, Museum De Paviljoens, Almere, NL (2008); 'I Will Survive', LOC, Hardenberg, NL (2008); 'Forever in Stone', Olympisch Kwartier, Amsterdam, NL (2004-2008); 'Glass Fragile Handle With Care', Stadshoven, Weidevenne, Purmerend, NL (2009); 'Karel Appel Was Hier' ('Karel Appel Was Here'), Karel Appel House, Amsterdam, NL. Selected other projects: 'I Want More Space', Zuiderkerkprijs 2004, Amsterdam, NL (2004); stamp design 'Zakelijke Postzegels 2005'/ 'Business Stamps 2005', TPG Post BV, NL (2005); figuration design '7 Verzenddozen'/ '7 Parcel Post Boxes', TNT Post BV, NL (2006). Selected current projects: 'My Last Penny', Jaarpenning 2010/ Art Medal 2010, VPK, NL (2010).