MATTHEW WATTS

Learning to Fly

AKA: Matthew Watts

Born: 1964 United Kingdom

• Contemporary
• Drawings
• Figurative
• Landscape
• Painter
• Portrait
• Realist
• Traditional

Holier Than Thou

STATEMENT:
A sense of place and also dis-placement is conveyed in these paintings. Having emigrated from the UK in 2001, Matthew has felt drawn to consider how we relate to our environment. In a universal sense he explores the very real issues of where we have come from and where we are heading, then zooms in on particular ‘everyday occurances’ presenting them as if on the cusp of reality.

Another strand of Matthew’s art is his portrayal of characters, ranging from the everyday to the theatrical. Some help to set a scene whilst others take centre stage with their presence. The allegorical content to be found in these stimulating and quizzical paintings is balanced by the artist's detailed yet playful approach to his subjects. All is not what it seems…

The Keeper

SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2004 Art Space Eltham
2000 Lead Station Gallery in Manchester, UK.
2000 University of Birmingham exhibition space, UK
1996 Parkview Gallery, Bristol, UK

GROUP EXHIBITIONS FROM 1997 TO PRESENT:
2005 Artholes Gallery, Melbourne
2005 Intrude Gallery, Melbourne
2005 Postcard Show Linden, Melbourne
2004 Tangerine Gallery, Northcote
2004 Jackman Gallery, Melbourne
2003 'Blue', Jackman, Gallery, Melbourne
2003 Artholes Gallery, Melbourne
2003 'Urban Life', Jackman Gallery, Melbourne
2002 Community Arts Centre, Box Hill, Victoria
2001 Gamma Space, Melbourne
2000 Nottingham Playhouse, UK
2000 The Brewery, California, USA
1999 Decima Gallery, London
1998 British Lime Gallery, California, USA
1998 The Talent Search Gallery, Santa Ana, California, USA
1997 Selfridges, London, UK
1997 Cuppola Gallery, Sheffield, UK