MATTHEW SHUTT
MATTHEW SHUTT
Matthew Shutt's paintings can be perceived upon viewing as two styles of aesthetic representation. From afar they emulate certain realism akin to the photographic source that the subject was taken from. On closer inspection a form of abstraction is represented through a series of lines and fragmented markings. Both styles confront the viewer from different vantage points and create differing responses. As opposite as the styles are, they are united by the messages they are trying to portray both from the artist's subject matter and also from the viewers personal interpretation, both interdependent on each other.
The predominant feature of toys, in particular action figures, as the main subject matter within his work lends its importance to a time in the artist's life when he was younger, and life was simpler – something he tries to recreate for a number of reasons. This uses forms of escapism both as a child, as he spent many a day adventuring in a world without limit, complexities, expectations and abrupt endings and also observed whilst watching his own children as they laugh and play with their own toys perceivably enjoying the same excitements and wonders as the artist did too.
Matthew's New York retro style paintings are dedicated to urban life in and around New York City (and the US in general) at the time he was born in the 1970s and growing up in the 80s and early 90s.
The work is about his perception of life when he was younger and the love and affection the artist had for everything New York City despite never going there. This perception of hope and a unique atmosphere influenced through film, television and music is observed through aged photographs in those eras but viewed in the present day with the objectivity of the real life situation back in time. Images of austerity and decay, grime, crime, graffiti, drugs and an excess in establishments offering adult entertainment, littered the streets of New York. Yet all Matthew saw was freedom, expressionism, hope and inspiration.
"In my paintings I like to combine all aspects of reality and actual realism and objectivity of the original photograph but I strive to give them the atmosphere, excitement and different perception they would have had if I had viewed them as a child." Matthew Shutt
SELECTED EXHIBTIONS
2024 (August) Summer Group show, Vertical Gallery, Chicago, USA
2023 (09 November- 16 January 2024) Comme Ca Art, Winter Exhibition at the Lowry Hotel, Manchester
2023 (16 -19 November), Manchester Art Fringe Festival (MAFF), group show Comme Ca Art Gallery
2023 (October) Gallery representation from Comme Ca Art, Manchester
2023 (September) Gallery representation from Blackwater Gallery, Cardiff
2022 (August) Gallery representation from Gallery Alchemy, Australia
2022 ( March 10-13) Battersea Park, London exhibition and sale at the Affordable Art Fair
2021 (Nov 4-6th Dec) Christmas Market online exhibition and sale at the Affordable Art Fair
2021 (May) Gallery Representation from London Contemporary Art, London.
2021- (April) Gallery Membership from Gabriel Fine Arts, London.
2019- (October) Representation from Mahlstedt Gallery, New York.
2019 – (June 22-31st August) Solo exhibition “Escape from reality” The Cooper Gallery, Barnsley.
2018-(May 19-1st June) Solo exhibition “Perception and Action Figures” The Arthouse, Sheffield
2017- (Oct 7-1st Dec) Solo exhibition “Escape from reality” The Bowery, Leeds
2010 -“Family Portrait“ paintings on permanent display at University Centre Barnsley.
2010- (May-June) - Group exhibition “Degree Show” University Centre Barnsley, Barnsley
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CLAIRE TURNER | claire@commecaart.com | T: +44 (0) 161 273 5495