About
Matthew is a visual artist working in photography and video. His work focuses on the natural world and aims to create a sense of wonder and curiosity.
He spent the first 18 years of his life living in Afghanistan, Kenya, India and Thailand, so it is no wonder that his themes often reflect the topical animals and vegetation that he was surrounded by during his formative years.
Matthew studied design at Brunel University before choosing photography and video as an instrument to express his creative ideas. He spent two and a half years working for and being mentored by world-renowned animal photographer and artist Tim Flach.
Although he uses a lens to capture his subjects, the majority of Matthew’s inspiration comes from master painters. His bookcase overflows with reference material from the high renaissance through to modern-day artists. He uses rules of composition from Rubens, Chiaroscuro from Caravaggio, and the feeling of lush vegetation from Rousseau.
Matthew’s other fascination lies in exploring the science behind what makes an image ‘work’. This involves understanding the way that our brain interprets colour and contrast as well as elements that draw the viewer in further such as anthropomorphism, shapes and stories.
Matthew describes his work as: “a blend of reality and fiction, it is not a clear account of events but rather a story that you might recount to your friend; full of emotion, exaggerations, and embellishments… and all the more beautiful for it.”
Images from his current project 'The Life of Birds' have been exhibited in the Dong Gang Museum of Photography (Korea) and in Sydney at the Head On Photo Festival in 2023.
Exhibitions:
November 2023 - HeadOn Photo Festival - Sydney
July 2023 - DongGang International Photo Festival - Korea
Awards:
April 2024 - Fine Art Photography Awards - Second Prize Winner
August 2023 - Prix de la Photographie Paris (Px3) - Honorable Mention
April 2023 - Fine Art Photography Awards - Nominee
September 2022 - International Photography Awards - Official Selection
Talks:
2022 - Norwich University of Arts - Preparing work for exhibition