Artist Proof: Matt Curry is a Chicago, Illinois, based artist that majored in Illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design. Matthew is also currently a twice nominated Grammy designer, illustrator, painter and the principal of the award winning design studio, Imagefed, based in Washington DC. The visual language Matthew Curry has developed is easily recognizable on album and magazine covers, limited edition products as well as in galleries and venues worldwide.
Matt is also our current T-shirt of the week Artist. You can check out his limited edition t-shirt here http://www.artsprojekt.com/LABz you can also check out the photos of his shirt at the bottom of this post.
Artsprojekt: What inspires your art?
Matt: The inspiration is in constant flux. Some days I’m inspired by design, other days it might be music or the smell of a cold winter day that transports me back to my days as a youngster in detroit. Lately, I’ve been really into quantum theory. I obviously, don’t fully understand it, but what I do understand keeps me up at night. In general though, I feed off of those who are out there doing great work no matter what that work might be. This could all be different tomorrow.
AP: What is the relationship between technique and content in your work?
Matt: This may sound a bit trite so, bear with me. I honestly feel that everything is connected and so, I rarely get hung up on how you’re “supposed” to make a picture. So, the process and the materials I use are all over the place…found objects, tape, markers and paint are all part of my arsenal-but, ultimately it’s what’s available at the moment. Because really, paint is fake color-so, I don’t get hung up on the quality of the materials I use or the archival aspects… I just put it down. As far as the iconography found in my work, I keep it simple and elemental. I enjoy using imagery found throughout time because it serves as a nice anchor to keep me focused on the process and mark making.
AP: Describe your first experience of making art and how it affected your life’s journey
Matt: I’ll have to go with what my parents have told me for this one.
Apparently, I’ve been drawing since I could coordinate myself enough to do so. This means I drew on walls in our house etc. (I don’t remember this) but, It showed my folks that I was into drawing and they have nurtured this passion ever since…the rest is history.
AP: Describe your most recent experience of making art.
Matt: I paint and draw everyday and I’m currently working on about 8 medium size paintings and a few fairly large scale works. I’m working on some new paintings that are turning out to be fairly figurative and almost religious in iconography.
I’m thinking I was probably inspired by some Baroque paintings I saw down at the Smithsonian the other week…but again, who knows? Unless I’m illustrating something specific, I never know what I’m setting out to make picture-wise so, I usually have quite a few things going at all times and they all just blur into one another. The studio is getting full of rolled up canvases and stacks of boards. I should probably look at photographing this past years work pretty soon.
AP: Take us on a guided tour through a day in your life as an artist.
Matt: Usually start working by 10 each morning. If, I have some design projects going on I’ll work on those to keep my clients and collaborators happy.It is during this time that I also do the internet thing. Once thats taken care of I’ll start mixing some records or updating my websites. I spend way too much time making mixtapes that nobody wants. Once the sun goes down I do dinner with my wife, Eugenia, and walk the pup around the neighborhood. Then, it’s analog time. I get busy in the studio drawing and painting until 3am or so.
AP: What are you currently working on? Do you have any upcoming projects?
Matt: Lots of painting as always, and am working out a brand with some of my talented colleagues to premiere on Artsprojekt in the near future.
Matt Curry limited edition LABz Tshirt of the Week: ORION available until 02/07/10 only!
Matt Curry limited edition LABz Tshirt of the Week: ORION available until 02/07/10 only!
