We as humans have an innate habit of organizing and putting things into containers. Everything from jars, buildings, even Earthm, are all environments in which things and experiences exist. The object in which these things inhabit, is a symbol in itself. The difference between a bell jar and cabinet is enormous.
My work has a great deal to do with the concept of microenvironments. My interest in contained worlds evolved from a fascination with bird eggs at a very young age. The very idea that life is growing within a contained shell is astonishing to me. Recently, I did a series of bell jar environments. Using an assortment of media, including acrylics, watercolor, and ink I portrayed instances in history, both minor and major, all dealing with the human struggle. There is a certain power tension to my work. The subjects are never at ease. The many juxtapositions that exist in this world are fascinating to me and I want to use contrasts, whether it be between people, environments, animals or stylistic choices, in order to shed light on social, environmental and political issues that exist.
Through the use of bold lines and dramatic use of color and light, I create a world that only exists in my imagination, but sheds light on the world around me. The main mediums I've worked with are acrylics and ink. In the future, I'd like to use a more eclectic range of mediums. Above all, I'd like to make some type of impact on a viewer's way of thinking or seeing the world.
-Matt
Fetus, Acrylic, 2010
