Matt Hawker is a contemporary artist based in the North West of England specialising in bold, colourful abstracted landscapes. Studying Fine Art at the University of Chester he graduated with a First-Class Honours and was also awarded the University art prize. Inspired by this, and wishing to develop his practice further, he went on to complete Masters Degree in Fine Art. Being born and living in the beautiful historic city of Chester he has always been fascinated by the constant regeneration that occurs around him everyday, the modernisation that forces the past to conform to present day standards. His subject matter explores the contrast between these landscapes, and how as humans we interact with these spaces. A spontaneous and intuitive layering process is used not only to apply paint but to also remove it in order to reveal a glimpse into the previous layers, building a rich history into each piece. Inspired by bold colours and textures reminiscent of graffiti he intends to blur the boundary between fine art and street art through abstraction, and by adopting this new language he attempts to renew and challenge the conventions of landscape painting.
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
Abstract expressionism and all types of graffiti.
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
My small loft studio is where I tend go, i put the radio on and shut myself away from the world. It sounds strange but the presence of other people distracts me to the point I can’t work. I usually start painting first thing in the morning, a cup of tea and a brisk walk with my two dogs sets me up well for the day ahead.
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
My process can be quite chaotic and spontaneous. I usually have a brief idea of what I want to do, but never a plan set in stone. I work with the paint on the canvas and see where it takes me. My biggest problem is knowing when to stop!
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
Van Gogh. After a visit to New York and seeing Starry Night in the MoMA, that was when I decided I wanted to be an artist.
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
I’m a time served cabinet maker so I would go back to that. I love the creation process, working with my hands and being busy.
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
Anything from the 90s. I’m a big fan of all things britpop.
7) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
It would have to be Van Gogh’s Starry Night.
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
STate Liverpool. It’ my local museum and has always been my go to galley for inspiration.
9) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
Be confident in you work and keep developing your own style. Don’t be afraid to change it if you’re not happy.
10) What is your favorite book of all time (fiction or non fiction)?
I’m not much of a big reader but I’ve always been a huge Roald Dahl fan since I was a child, the magic of his books never gets old.
11) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non traditional art setting, where would that be?
I’d love to create a mural outside. I’ve always been a huge fan of grafitti and street art so creating work directly onto a building is my goal, seeing people pass it everday and watching it age with the seasons as it becomes part of the landscape itself.
12) What was the biggest lesson your university course or time studying taught you?
How to clearly talk about your own practice and how to articualte your thoughts. Creating work can be easy but explaining it i always found a challenge.
13) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
Hopefully in a new studio somewhere still creating work.
Learn more about Matt and discover his collection of paintings.
