Artist: Matthew A.
Curatorial Rationale
Matthew S.A
Within each of my illustrations, I intend to add multiple meanings. I usually plan to add one of the seven deadly sins within my portraits. Consisting of Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, and Sloth. In the early Christian faith, vices and tendencies were thought to be wrongdoings. These vices cater to our most primitive desires, making them essential to comprehending human actions and motivation. Through my work, I try to show how many of these Sins are common to find within humans. Intentionally I make an effort to demonstrate what everybody has in common. To show that expressing these emotions is only natural for one to experience. I also intend to show the beauty behind the madness. These are the two themes I heavily favor and broadcast throughout the majority of my pieces.
While exploring multiple expressions, the one that appealed to me the most would have to be super-flat. When sketching, I commonly use a simple pencil to sketch out the work's body before doing anything. A common theme I crave to explore is a diamond in the rough. Displaying an exceptional character who lacks polishment and refinement. I also enjoy working around global issues that storm the media. For example, like the entire BLM protest, all lives deserve to be the same as one another.
The three art pieces I have chosen to display represent one of the previous themes that I previously mentioned. Through my work, I try to show that nobody is perfect. Perfection is unreal; we are only human. The seven deadly sins are what best represent human actions and desires. And just because you look stunning outside would not mean you aren't facing many problems mentally. One's who may not seem fortunate as others don't mean they don't have the same potential. I display these themes intending to express how common these themes appear in regular daily life.
Title: Enormity
Date: 2021
Artist: Matthew
Size: 11”x14”
Medium: Graphite on paper
Within this body of work, I am trying to represent the beauty within the madness. I'm trying to get everyone to understand that everything is not what it seems. Sometimes under a smile, someone is hurting badly. That's what I want to broadcast; people have to be more aware of what they say and do because their actions could negatively affect another person. I initially intended to do the beauty of death. That's something that isn't talked about too often.
Title: I Luv Winning
Date: 2020
Artist: Matthew
Size: 20”x30”
Medium: Photographic Collage on foam core board
This work was truly inspired by David Hockey and his ability to capture his surroundings through a series of photos. Seeing life through these photos made them seem alive. Attempting to recreate his techniques within my photo joiner proved to be quite tricky. To capture every moment within one large collage of images and exploring techniques was crucial for this unit's success. The college expresses art within sports, like basketball. Wearing signature shoes from multiple athletes was meant to replicate their styles.
Title: Heaven or Hell
Date: 2021
Artist: Matthew
Size: 40”x30”
Medium: Acrylic paint on canvas
My art was inspired heavily by artists such as TakashiMurakami and Pablo Picasso. The piece was meant to show both artists and represent two different periods. To adapt to their techniques, one must learn their signaturesuper-flat and Surrealism techniques. Having to capture both their styles into one image proved to be complicated. I attempted to recreate heaven and hell within an image—the ups and downs in life. meaning than what it was. Everything within my still life image taught me how to appreciate life. To always be thankful for what I have because to envy things we don't have is a waste of what we do have.