Thu 10 Sep 2009
All the Wild Horses – Art of Matt Woodward
Posted by A.A. under Art, Graphic Art
[7] Comments
Matt Woodward’s artwork is reminiscent of a daydream or of recapturing only a part of a memory; you know it is there, and yet it is never quite within your grasp. You sense it, yet can not see it. I was touched by it from the first impression. Woodward is a Chicago based artist whose work is inspired by the “memories of grandeur” implicit in the decay he experiences in the architecture and environment around him.
I had a chance to ask him about his work, the following are excerpts from that conversation:
“It is tough to get into all that (when asked what inspires his creativity)… but I think so much about making art is that brilliant digression. I think a lot of the work is simply about being in a city, about looking directly at the understated parts of a city and being right there with every little change in it. Like a gate or a cage; you are watching it and there it goes, changing on again, constructing and reconstructing. That faithful issue of conflict between there being a finite presence and an infinite absence.
I have been looking at Clyfford Still, Antonio Garcia Lopez and Louis Sullivan’s drawings. You start thinking about it so much and it goes away, look directly and its not there and your on to something else.
You look right at [my drawings] and they, too, are rather eluding, almost transparent, they are manipulated deliberately that way and I think that is because of the experience of space that [without] specific context for them there is prompted a separate context anew.
I have a fussy patience with looking at architecture, more so with the process of encountering it, confronting it. Its a metaphor for everything.”
Wow this work is really inspiring. I agree that it reminds me of some sketches of the old masters. They are so large yet I see beautiful details and textures created by the medium. Will you be showing in New York any time?
Absolutely stunning work. I can’t wait to see your upcoming exhibits.
Kelly,
I have some things coming up in the midwest and thereabouts. In January I have a solo show at the Barrington Hllls Library. And also ay Linda Warren Gallery. And then in June at the Indianapolis Arts Center. If you happen to be in Michigan in October, I will have three pieces at the Northville Art House. And I appreciate you looking at the work, Kelly.
The drawings have this ghost-like beauty. Graphite or charcoal works do have this sense of impermanence or “decay” – like you can blow the stuff away or smudge it off. Reminds me of old master drawings, even silverpoint but the scale makes it so architectural.
I can feel the transparency and elusive nature that Woodward talks about. Beautiful post! May I ask, is it pencil or charcoal that he uses?
Thank you for your kind words, I’m happy you like the work. To answer your question, if it is charcoal or pencil, it depends on the piece, however, generally both get in there in one way or another. Thank you for asking.
Beautiful, I love the large scale as well. I imagine this would be an impacting image to see in person an arms length away .