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Matthew Spencer

Matthew Spencer

Bath Spa University (Master of Fine Art , 2010)

Matthew Spencer is interested in how our world is represented to us through simulated images in the media and how these in turn form our comprehension of the world around us, basing his pieces on images from the media and internet. His works are cynical of utopian notions surrounding our relationship with the natural world, effectively combining medium, process and aesthetics as message.

The medium-density fibreboard, household paint and painstakingly slow hand cutting process that he uses gives the work a raw abandoned aesthetic, creating scenes which depict gritty disenchanted visions of man-made structures and waste in woods and forests.

Spencer takes the craftsmanship of woodcarving to the extreme by meticulously hand cutting elaborate patterns into sheets of wood in the style of the Computer Numerical Control laser/router machines which are used in much modern manufacturing. He is interested in the contrast between such contemporary processes, materials, media, internet and the mark of the individual and traditional.

He begins with drilling out the spaces in between the branches, with fret saw blades held between his fingers he cuts out the fine detailing and uses a jigsaw to finish the process. Cutting the outline of trees and branches into sheets of MDF, which ironically is not real wood. It is a man-made material, which in some respects is part of the tongue-in-cheek humour he uses.

In over embellishing the obvious issues in his work, he also raises important questions about the nature and scope of knowledge.

Check out Matthew Spencer's Art Prize interview with FAD Magazine.

Exhibitions

  2014 Edinburgh Art Fair, DegreeArt.com, Edinburgh 2014 AAF Batersea, DegreeArt.com, London 2014 Buy Art Fair, DegreeArt.com, Manchester 2014 AAF Bristol, DegreeArt.com, Bristol 2014 AAF Hampstead, DegreeArt.com 2014 AAF Singapore, Degreeart.com, Singapore 2014 Loud and Western, Degreeart.com, Fulham 2014 Between the lines, The Execution Room, Degreeart.com, London 2013 Edinburgh Art Fair, DegreeArt.com, Edinburgh 2013 Buy Art Fair, DegreeArt.com, Manchester 2013 AAF Batersea, DegreeArt.com, London 2013 The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle 2013 New Lights Art Prize, The Mercer Gallery, Harrogate 2013 New Lights, Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk 2012 Portfolio, Marburae Art Gallery, Macclesfield 2012 The Signature Art Prize, DegreeArt, London 2012 Cork Street Open Exhibition, Mayfair, London 2012 The Great North Art Show, Ripon 2012 Summer Salon, Islington Arts Factory, London 2012 NEO Art Prize, Gallery 32, Bolton 2012 Candid Berlin, Universität der Künste, Berlin 2012 Debut Contemporary, London 2012 The Pallant House Gallery, Chichester 2011  National Open Art Competition Exhibition, The Minerva Theatre, Chichester  2011 25 Years of Christmas, Black Swan Arts, Frome 2011 New lights Painting Prize, The Mercer Gallery, Harrogate  2011 Mixed Media Exhibition, The Candid Arts Trust, London  2010 A Few of My Favourite Things, Black Swan Arts, Frome  2008 Affordable Art Fair, Bristol – bo lee Gallery www.affordableartfair.com  2008 Affordable Art Fair, London – bo lee Gallery www.affordableartfair.com  2008 100%, Mauger Modern Art - Bath, UK  2008  Control Art Delete – Free Range, Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London  2008  Wilderness 2 – The American Museum in Britain, Claverton Down, Bath  2007 Wilderness – The American Museum in Britain, Claverton Down, Bath  

Awards

Art Habens annual 2015, The Signature Art Prize 2012, the NEO Studio Prize 2012, the Southwood NOAC Award for best UK artist under 25 2011

New Lights Art Prize 2013, New Lights Painting prize 2011, NEO Art Prize 2012

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