Matthew’s approach to art making is through the construction of critical and research-oriented projects. These projects have thus far been couched in his time-based media studies background and take the form of prints and videos with a foregrounded materiality. These forms—silkscreens printed with gelatine and silver in a recent framework—are assembled through an engagement with theories and modes of working surrounding materialist ontologies, creative cultural geographies, and caring in a more-than-human world. Central to this cultural production approach is an aim towards shifting viewer perceptions towards photographic media: his working process intends to place material affect on the same plane of recognition as depicted mimetic representations.
Matthew beach received his MFA from the Slade School of Fine Art and BFA from the University of Florida. He also participated in the 2016 Saas-Fee Summer Institute of Art. Recent exhibitions include The Political Animal Event, The Showroom, London and Individuating, Rosa–Luxemburg–Platz Kunstverein, Berlin. Beach is currently a Geography MA candidate at Queen Mary, University of London and artist-in-residence at Charleston House as part of the 2018 Diep~Haven festival.
Matthew’s aims during his fellowship are threefold: gaining teaching experience through weekly interactions with students and staff within the print room; building his intaglio skillset, with a particular interest in photo etching and introducing alternative materials within the inking process; and completing a research and development project, furthering his practice in the context of the art school community through material experimentation, a seminar-workshop series, and subsequent public engagements through exhibitions and publications of the results.
Website: www.matthewbeach.org
Instagram: @mbeachstudio