Part A: Clem & Oliver Martini – Early Life

By: Victoria Whistance-Smith

Clem & Oliver Martini

Clem Martini was born on August 25th, 1965 in Calgary , Alberta . He grew up  in Bowness ,Alberta with his brothers  Nick , Oliver and Ben. Martini spent a lot of time   growing up camping , hiking, and cross – country skiing with his brothers. (2013)

Martini has always enjoyed reading  and made a decision early on that he wanted to be a writer. He extended his passion to writing short novels  throughout high school and won the Woolsworth Competition. Martini’s  success in English writing led him to study drama and play writing  at the University  of Calgary (Martini) ,  and graduated with a Bachelor  of Fine Arts in  Play Writing in  1980. Martini also studied at the National Theatre School in Montreal  , it here where he became the  first graduate from the National Theatre School in play writing. Martini also  taught  at The Wood Home an organization for troubled youth.(2013)

Through out some of his time in school  Martini and his family had to deal with the diagnosis of schizophrenia of his youngest brother  Ben and unfortunately later his suicide . The effects  of mental illness  effected Martini and his family and reflected later in his work.(Martini, 2010)

Not as much information in known about Oliver Martini as is about Clem Martini. Much like his brother he was born in Calgary and grew up in Bowness ,Alberta . In 1986 shortly after his brother Clem graduated  from University he was also diagnosed with schizophrenia . This would be another test on the Martini  family.

The diagnosis led to many negatives in Martini’s life. As a result of his diagnosis he lost several jobs over the years (Martini, 2010) and became  confused and depressed over his condition. However, through all of this he found a love and appreciation for visual arts which led him to attend Alberta College of Arts where he graduated in visual arts for his  sketches, painting and prints