Matthew Holloway is an American artist who is recognized for his abstract landscapes. His primary medium is acrylic. Born in rural Ohio, Matthew spent his childhood roaming for miles exploring the local woods and farms, observing the seasonal changes against the iconic, pastoral landscape dotted with farms.
In his recent work he explores the contrasts between rural and urban landscapes. Pulling from his memories from childhood, his “Rural Dreams” series explores the moments and people that shaped his childhood. The events and recollections are depicted as surreal landscapes, dreamlike depictions that invite reflection and allow the viewer reflect upon their own memories.
The “Urban Spaces” series builds on the practice of reflection from the previous series, by exploring those overlooked or forgotten spaces with the city that we often pass without consideration. This series focuses on contrasting why these space were built and the meaning they may have had, with what they have evolved into and what they represent today. Exploring these contrasts through childlike lens, he captures the intention and the action within these urban divisions.
In the third series, “Water & Light, Sun & Shade”, Matthew explores the idea of micro-landscapes, small spaces within the city, green spaces beside the street, along the water front, or framed between two buildings, where nature has been confined by the city. Within these microcosms, the interlacing of light and shadow, playing off the water or the foliage provides the inspiration for this series. The scale of these works is in contrast their physical subject matter—which may just be a single flower, or ripples on the bay.
Throughout his work, Matthew captures the interplay between our environment and our memory, exploring the combination of self-identity and shadows we carry of the places we’ve been, tempting the viewer to share their own memories and experiences, by reflecting themselves into his work.
Matthew attended The Ohio State University to study painting, transitioning to industrial design for his final degree. Matthew has exhibited work in the Bay Area for the past 15 years and sold both nationally and internationally. In 1992 he established his Bay Area studio in Palo Alto California, since 2014 his studio has been located in the Pacific Northwest. He currently resides in Seattle Washington.
In his recent work he explores the contrasts between rural and urban landscapes. Pulling from his memories from childhood, his “Rural Dreams” series explores the moments and people that shaped his childhood. The events and recollections are depicted as surreal landscapes, dreamlike depictions that invite reflection and allow the viewer reflect upon their own memories.
The “Urban Spaces” series builds on the practice of reflection from the previous series, by exploring those overlooked or forgotten spaces with the city that we often pass without consideration. This series focuses on contrasting why these space were built and the meaning they may have had, with what they have evolved into and what they represent today. Exploring these contrasts through childlike lens, he captures the intention and the action within these urban divisions.
In the third series, “Water & Light, Sun & Shade”, Matthew explores the idea of micro-landscapes, small spaces within the city, green spaces beside the street, along the water front, or framed between two buildings, where nature has been confined by the city. Within these microcosms, the interlacing of light and shadow, playing off the water or the foliage provides the inspiration for this series. The scale of these works is in contrast their physical subject matter—which may just be a single flower, or ripples on the bay.
Throughout his work, Matthew captures the interplay between our environment and our memory, exploring the combination of self-identity and shadows we carry of the places we’ve been, tempting the viewer to share their own memories and experiences, by reflecting themselves into his work.
Matthew attended The Ohio State University to study painting, transitioning to industrial design for his final degree. Matthew has exhibited work in the Bay Area for the past 15 years and sold both nationally and internationally. In 1992 he established his Bay Area studio in Palo Alto California, since 2014 his studio has been located in the Pacific Northwest. He currently resides in Seattle Washington.