By Kirsty Ross
MATTHEW Simpson has drawn for as long as he can remember.
But only now, at age 40, does the Seddon father-of-one consider himself on the verge of his artistic career.
“I have painted for many years and consider myself an emerging artist,” Matthew said.
When he was young he studied at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, but described his work there as “the worst I’ve ever painted”.
Now that he is wiser and more attuned to nature, the universe, science and technology, Matthew has drawn from these loves to create his latest exhibition, Familial Paintings.
Familial Paintings consists of a group of works – brushed in all paints on canvas and in harmonious colours – named after his family members.
“The paintings are in large portrait format, but are not portraits. The titles serve as a focus and to honour the importance of my family in my life,” said Matthew.
“My work for the past few years has concentrated on the possibilities of form and patterns that emerge through a process of repeated addition of lines.
Matthew believes modern culture is an overload of visual imagery, and prefers to model his art on nature.
“Do I really want to add to this over-abundance of imagery in my painting?” he said.
“We need less clutter in our lives, not more.”
Matthew Simpson’s exhibition, Familial Paintings, is open from 27 January to 16 February at the Dancing Dog Gallery Cafe, 42 Albert St, Footscray.
