I don't say this lightly ... but I LOVE this guy! He is a man after my own heart. He has a love of M C Escher, as I know him, or Maurits Cornelis Escher as he is formally known. Escher is was also a Dutch graphic artist who created breathtakingly detailed optical illusions ... in lithographs! (a really tricky process in my humble opinion) When I was just a boy my mother bought me a book of his and I was hooked. Karel, also, likes to create optical illusions, and early on in an interview [1], showing one of these, he says of them:
Regular structures like this hardly have anything to do with the book's content. They were my own investigations. But curiously enough, later on people will find meaning in them, saying it's fantastic. So you don't need to worry, as long as people are sympathetic.
I love this. He doesn't worry if people "get it" with his work, only that they are appreciative. I think there is a very big lesson for all would-be designers to learn there.
He goes on to share his fascination with numbers, specifically Vedic mathematics. Before coming to the realm of art I too was studying mathematics, but sadly had to let that go on account of struggling with brain fog that comes with having Fibromyalgia. Listening to Karel gives me a glimmer of hope that I may be able to bring some mathematics into my future works of art.
Another aspect of Karel's work is that he likes to overlay his designs on paper that already has something printed on it. He seemed surprised when a textiles manufacturer was interested in one of his designs, and asked if they could use it. Then, with no heirs or graces, remarks that the carpet (?) is a terrible colour!
Here is a picture of Karel, standing in front of some of his designs. [2]
[1] Dutch Profiles: Karel Martens (2012) Available at:
https://youtu.be/CkZT7-Xn4C4?feature=shared
(Accessed: 30 September 2025)
[2] Bertoli, R. (2024) Karel Martens designs new Liberty Fabrics collection | Wallpaper* Available
at:
https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/liberty-fabrics-karel-martens-collaboration
(Accessed: 30 September 2025)