Matt Phillips
b. 1976
Narrative threads, subtle hints of people behind walls, and the echo of times past and present are woven into my work. I strive to convey a sense of space that exists beyond the edges of the canvas. While people are often physically absent within my landscapes, my paintings represent fragments of life and worlds that could be familiar to viewers, perhaps causing them to place themselves in the scene, or connect with the emotional atmosphere of the images.
Born in the UK to American parents, I spent many childhood summers in New Mexico with my grandparents, where I developed a love for stark deserts and small-town architecture. My dual nationality is a strong part of my identity, reflected in my art, where I depict both British streets and desert landscapes. I work from my studio in North London.
Primarily I paint in oils, but I also weld metal, and sculpt with wood, plaster and clay. In addition to my architectural paintings, I create 3D landscapes that blend abstraction with realism. Portrait painting is another passion of mine, working to capture the soul and likeness of a subject.
My work has been exhibited in the UK, US, and the Middle East, and is held in both private and public collections.
RESIDENCIES
2019 The Art Hub, King Abdul Aziz Camel Festival, Saudi Arabia
2016 Starry Night, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, USA
2015 The Art Hub, Abu Dhabi, UAE
PUBLICATION
2024 Camden New Journal, Out of the ordinary, ‘Hampstead artist Matt Phillips finds beauty in the everyday’
2013 Phillips, Matt, Public Catalogue Foundation, Camden Vol. 1, pages 85, 86
ONLINE
Arki Magazine London Art + Architecture
London Walks podcast Matt Phillips interviewed by London tour guide David Tucker
Art UK Online directory for publicly owned art in the United Kingdom
EDUCATION
Slade School of Fine Art, Summer Foundation Course
1998 University College London, London, UK
University of Colorado Boulder
1994-98 Colorado, USA - BA English Literature - Minor in Ethnic Studies
University College School
1989-94 London, UK - A-levels and GCSEs
EXHIBITIONS
SOLO
2022 Tighnabruaich Gallery, Argyll, Scotland, UK
2020 Aeon Gallery, Hampstead, London, UK
GROUP
2024 Cass Art Prize, Copeland Gallery, London, UK
2023 Featured artist, Hampstead Summer Festival Art Fair, London, UK
2022 Summer & Celebration, Koppel Project Station, London, UK
2022 Featured artist, Hampstead Summer Festival Art Fair, London, UK
2021 Mixed Show, Aeon Gallery, London, UK
2020 Duets, Lovetts Gallery, Oklahoma, USA
2020 Mixed Show, Lovetts Gallery, Oklahoma, USA
2020 Landscapes, Aeon Gallery, London, UK
2019 Mixed Show, Lovetts Gallery, Oklahoma, USA
2019 King Abdul Aziz Camel Festival, The Art Hub, Saudi Arabia
2019 Hampstead Pub Paintings, Aeon Gallery, London, UK
2019 Americana and London Paintings, Aeon Gallery, London, UK
2018 Hampstead Paintings, Aeon Gallery, London, UK
2018 Winter Exhibition, Aeon Gallery, London, UK
2017 Material Matters, Turner House (Turner Media), Go Figurative, London, UK
2017 Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize, Mall Galleries, & Guildford House Gallery, Surrey
2016 Hampstead Summer Festival Art Fair, London, UK
2015 International Artist Month, The Art Hub, Abu Dhabi, UAE
2015 Go Figurative Gallery, London, UK
2015 Wells Art Contemporary, Wells and Mendip Museum, Somerset, UK
2014 Fox Williams LLP, Curated by Go Figurative, London, UK
2014 Face 2014, The Society of Portrait Sculptors, Sladmore Contemporary, London, UK
2014 End of Year Spectacular, Thomas & Paul Gallery, London, UK
2014 Paper Exhibition, Thomas & Paul Gallery, London, UK
2014 All Paintings Great and Small, Cooley Gallery, Connecticut, USA
2013 The Tobacco Factory Art Exhibition, The Art Collective, Tobacco Factory, Bristol, UK
2012 The Big One, The Art Collective, Lauderdale House, London, UK
2012 The Affordable Art Fair, Zebra Gallery, London, UK
2009 All Paintings Great and Small, Cooley Gallery, Connecticut, USA
2008 Face 2008, The Society of Portrait Sculptors, The Gallery in Cork Street, UK
2008 All Paintings Great and Small, Cooley Gallery, Connecticut, USA
2007 All Paintings Great and Small, Cooley Gallery, Connecticut, USA
2006 Art In Perpetuity, Studio 18 Gallery, New York City, USA
2005 Holiday Salon of Art, Studio 18 Gallery, New York City, USA
2004 Celebrating Creativity, University College School, London, UK
2002 The Affordable Art Fair, Print Europe, London, UK