About Olivier Martini (Illustrations)

Olivier Martini
Olivier Martini was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1986. This happened ten years after his brother Ben had been diagnosed with the same illness. From an early age, Olivier had to live under the bad living conditions schizophrenia had placed him in.The lack of resources and health care system made it difficult to cope with the illness that not only affected himself but his family also.

 Historical Context 

 To cope with all the problems that surrounded him, Olivier spent most of his time drawing. His paintings and sketches represent his feelings and his experience about the illness that he struggles with. Olivier studies in Alberta College of Arts and is currently working in Calgary. His paintings and sketches have been displayed in many exhibitions at Marion McGrath Gallery and have been published in magazines like Alberta Views (Admin, 2013).

 Works and Awards 

               Bitter Medicine is a now famous book by Olivier and his brother Clem. In fact, most of his fame rotates around this famous book. In it, Olivier’s emotional and heart breaking graphic narrative touches reader’s heart. Anybody who reads the content feels the pain behind it. It is accompanied with a written account made by his brother Clem Martini. Because of both brothers’ creativity and talent a family memoir attached to this mental sickness was formed. *A list of works and awards is listed on the Works and Awards page*



 Career Low and High points 

Olivier paints now and again, but his Career hit a high point with the release of Bitter medicine. This book has created a lot of publicity for himself and his brother.

Stephanie Ajiroba