Mathew Heaney
Artist Statement
To talk about painting is not only difficult but perhaps pointless too. You can only express in words what words are capable of expressing, what language can communicate. painting has nothing to do with that. (Gerhard Richter)
So having placed that obstacle in the middle of the road, let’s try to talk about painting,3 paintings in particular
1- 3 pipes (orange)
2- Untitled (grey)
3- Untitled (blue,yellow,purple)
All three titles simply descriptive,is that enough for the viewer has the painting completed it’s task? Some might say yes others no .The impulse is to analyse,artist painter tell me why
(3 PIPES ORANGE). Pipes a conduit,for what?
Water to drink or waste for the sewer both things for and of the body.
Pipes ,for what ? a scaffold dismantled,a building site or a crucifixion.
3 pipes for an armature,Giacometti make me a sculpture,clay,plaster,build it up tear it down ,build again make a man. (In the orange glow of the world on fire)
(UNTITLED GREY)
What have you got to say? Are you bored,neutral,uncertain. Are you the stuff of matter in a process of transformation LEAD>GOLD
It’s hard to make a bad painting when using grey,grey paintings are always full of potential,many great artists have known this secret and turned grey to gold.
- Kiefer
- Oehlen
- Agnes
- Beuys
Small painting I think you have great potential.
(UNTITLED BLUE,YELLOW,PURPLE)
Pastel painting you make a (BAD SCULPTURE)beautiful
Pastel painting you are form and light.
Pastel painting you look good.
Bio.
Mat works across a variety of subject matter. Heavily influenced by his predecessors, Mat’s interest and knowledge in the history of painting is unparalleled. Intrigued by the depths and complexities of human nature, Mat draws on layering recognisable motifs in familiar and unfamiliar environments to depict the inherent fragilities of his subject matter.
Initially studying at Goulbourn TAFE in 1992, Mat furthered his studies at the Australian National University, Canberra in 2008. Exhibiting in Brisbane, Sydney and Regional NSW from 2007, Mat has featured in several solo exhibitions and selected group exhibitions. Currently residing on the Far South Coast of NSW, Mat’s paintings form part of many private collections and continue to provide great insight into the critical underpinnings of contemporary painting in Australia today.
