Martens goes New York!

Martens exhibits his paintings in surprising locations. In October 1998, in the presence of 105 fans flown in from the Netherlands and American art buyers, he celebrated his first 'overseas' exhibition at the Gershwin Gallery in central Manhattan. This was followed by an exhibition at the Empire State Building six months later. He was asked to make a 3-month tour across America where he exhibited his work in San Francisco and Miami.

Martens goes Berlin!

After his success in America, Berrie and 150 of his followers, in November 2000, boarded a chartered train decorated with Happy People (happy abstract colourful figures) heading for Berlin where on November 9th he symbolically erected his own wall in front of Brandenburg Gate. He exhibited his work at Exil Wohnmagzin and at the Alexanderplatz TV tower.

Martens goes Amsterdam!

Januari 2002 Berrie worked in the studio of Herman Brood.

Martens goes Barcelona!

Barcelona had the scoop. In addition to his paintings Martens for the first time exhibited his sculptures in the FAD (Fomento de las Artes Decorativas), a beautiful location opposite the MACBA (Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona). Dressed in red and/or yellow, Martens and company (150 customers) made a cheerful impression during the traditional art-performance through the city. Even the famous Happy People umbrellas were in these Catalan colours. The Happy People sculptures and the company moving them about left colourful marks on the Ramblas.

Martens goes Paris!

The fourth Art Performance trip is at the same time an anniversary. Berrie has been painting for 10 years. This will be festively celebrated during a retrospective in the MUMA (Museum Martens) , a museum specially created for this occasion. Martens will fete his guests in his typically Burgundian way and it is in the French capital that he will launch his Happy People of the World crockery which will be done in cooperation with UNICEF.

Happy people of the world 4 Unicef

In May of 2006 the artist Berrie Martens is going to start his dream of making a trip around the world as one of his Happy People of the World Family. His point of departure will be Dutch seaside resort of Noordwijk. Scheduled for 2008 is a visit to Beijing where Martens plans to unveil the Happy People sculptures of the United Nations Building in New York, home of Unicef, with all countries of the world immortalised as Happy people of the World sculptures. On 20 May, as a special gesture for Stichting Noordwijk Kinderstad (Noordwijk Children's City Foundation), he will start his exhibition for 32 four-metre tall Happy People sculptures along the boulevard in Noordwijk. These sculptures along the boulevard in Noordwijk. These sculptures will represent the 32 countries that are going to compete in the soccer World Championship in Germany. The 32 Happy People sculptures will tour the Netherlands in procession from 15 to 20 May. Pon's automobielhandel will make available 32 Volkswagen New `Beetles for this happining. Each Beetle will pull a specially designed trailer carrying the Happy People sculpture of one of the 32 countries. The Beetles will have 32 different designs, with images of one of the 32 countries of Happy People of the World. Furthermore, a Volkswagen New Beetle decorated by Martens will be auctioned.
The 4-metre tall sculptures are available for sponsorship. In addition, sculptures with heights of 200 cm, 90 cm and 45 cm, available for each country, will be for sale. Two hundred sculptures of each size and each country will be produced. In addition to sculptures there will be art prints for sale, representing all 32 countries competing in the World Championship, individually numbered and signed by the artist. Other items for sale will include Happy People T-shirts, umbrellas, sunglasses, bags, crockery, and postcards. The proceeds from your purchases of works of art and Happy People of the World items will go to Stichting Noordwijk Kinderstad of witch Unicef is a beneficiary.

Kick Aids out of Kenya

Is the Unicef project supported by Stichting Noordwijk Kinderstad. AIDS is a major problem in Kenya. Girls aged 15 to 19 are at an especially high risk for contracting the disease. In order to prevent this, Unicef has launched a sports programme that focuses on soccer. Not only is sports fun and does it lead to a healthy development of these girls, it also enhances their ability to make their own decisions. During the sporting events and soccer games, coaches and other young Unicef-trained AIDS information officers will lead discussions among the girls about HIV/AIDS. Even the audience will be given information. This will significantly reduce the chances of young people, and girls in particular, of contracting the disease "Because," as Unicef ambassador Paul van Vliet said, "if we don't help them, who will?"