Bio

I am multi-disciplinary creator. My areas of practice started with traditional painting and digital media creation, later working with photography, video production and post-production development. I work best alone and without much oversight.

 

 (c)9172135609

Commercial + Licensing Artwork

Past Work:

  • National Academy of Design, Editor (remote), (2022-2023)

  • Media production, Christian Brothers University (2020-current)

  • Adjunct Professor of Drawing & Photography, Christian Brothers University (2021-2023)

  • Photographer for Archi-pix (contract) 2021

  • Park Terrace Hotel on Bryant Park, NYC -2D Artwork and framing

  • Christian Dior- J'Adore Perfume Commercial, Storyboard Artist 2006

  • Duane Hopwood Feature Film- Poster Designer 2005

  • HBO- Boxing After Dark Commercial, Storyboard Artist 2005

  • Nadia-Naylor- Sean Paul Music Video, Storyboard Artist 2005

  • Bug Digital- Motion Graphics Artists 2005

  • 180s Gorgonz- Motion Graphics Artist, Editor 2003

  • Jason Mraz- "Both You and I" Music Video Motion Graphics Artist, Editor 2003

  • Blue Eyed Pictures- 2003 Reel Intro, Motion Graphics Artist, Editor 

  • Sveriges Television 2- Network Bumper, Director, Motion Graphics Artist, Editor 2003

Recognition

  • Huffington Post's Arts & Culture lists Matthew Thomas in Black Artists: 30 Contemporary Art Makers Under 40 You Should Know 2013

  • Granted Tennessee Arts Commission's Individual Artist Fellowship Award 2014

  • Magic Johnson's Aspire Television selects Matthew Thomas for network "Anniversary" spot 2013.

  • Magic Johnson's Aspire Television featured artist interstitial, June 2012

  • HTC sponsored artist for the HTC Rhyme Inspirational Tour, New York 2011

  • Awarded the Jerome Foundation Grant 2006

  • Awarded productions space on Wall Street through Lower Manhattan  Cultural Council, NYC 2006

  • Art World News front cover feature and article (September 2009)

  • Foundations Drawing Instructor for Memphis College of Art 2014 Spring Semester 

Exhibitions

  • Maintaining Place/ Making Place, Group Exhibition, 2017

  • The Man Show, L. Ross Gallery, Memphis, TN 2015

  • Selections From The Kentler Files Exhibition (Curator: Ana Torok), Kentler International Drawing Space, June 2015

  • Singular Masses: An Examination of Racial Identity, Group Exhibition, Hyde Gallery, Memphis College of Art, January 2013

  • Something In Particular, Group Exhibition, Clear Film Gallery, Atlanta, GA. 2013

  • To Be Young Gifted And Black In The Age Of Obama, Group Exhibition, Kentler International Drawing Center, September 2011

  • Arts Memphis Exhibition, Group Exhibition 2012

  • Mourning Revival: A Family's Struggle With Violence, Cancer & AIDS, Solo Exhibition, Memphis, TN 2011

  • The Last Supper, Group Exhibition, 3rd Ward Gallery, New York 2009

  • I Just Changed My Mind, Group Exhibition, Strivers Gardens Gallery, NYC 2009

  • Reasons to Riot, Group Exhibition, Memphis College of Art 2007 

  • Canon Digital Creators Exhibition: Los Angeles, Tokyo, Germany, and London  2003-2005

Film Projects & Artwork

  • The Kindness of Strangers ( In production, 2015)

  • That Day (short film, 2003) - Awards & Screenings:

  • Red Bull Independents Shorts Contest "Best In Flight" and "Best Screenplay" 2003 Maryland Institute, College of Art Digital Excellence Award 2003

  • Canon Digital Creators Contest Gold Award 2003

  • Exhibited throughout the world including Los Angeles, Tokyo, Germany, and London through Canon's Digital Creators Exhibition in 2003-2005

  • Sundance Film Festival 2004 • Nashville Film Festival 2004 • Bend Film Festival 2004 • Maryland Film Festival 2004 • Reel World Film Festival 2004 • Screening at the Charles Theatre, Baltimore, MD, 2003 • Canon Digital Creators Contest 2003 • Starz First Look Film Festival 2005 •Reasons to Riot Gallery Exhibition, Memphis TN 2006

  • Forever (short film, 2005)

  • One of ten film directors commissioned to create a 35mm 3-minute short film for Cinemantics: Ten Takes On New York. Created storyboards, title design, and edited film.

Television/ Production

  • Illustrator Christian Dior- J'Adore Perfume Commercial, Storyboard Artist 2006

  • Duane Hopwood Feature Film- Poster Designer 2005

  • HBO- Boxing After Dark Commercial, Storyboard Artist 2005

  • Nadia-Naylor- Sean Paul Music Video, Storyboard Artist 2005

  • Bug Digital- Motion Graphics Artists 2005

  • 180s Gorgonz- Motion Graphics Artist, Editor 2003

  • Jason Mraz- "Both You and I" Music Video Motion Graphics Artist, Editor 2003

  • Blue Eyed Pictures- 2003 Reel Intro, Motion Graphics Artist, Editor 

  • Sveriges Television 2- Network Bumper, Director, Motion Graphics Artist, Editor 2003

  • Food Network- "Behind The Bash" with Giada De Laurentis Production Assistant 2005

  • Moxie Media NYC- Eliot Spitzer NYC Gov. Election, Commercial Production Assistant 2006

  • Radical Media, NYC- H &R Block Commercial, Art Production Assistant 2006

  • Anonymous Content, NYC- Notorious BIG s "Nasty Girl: Part 2" Production Assistant 2006

  • Box Fresh Pictures- Floetry Concert, Production Assistant, 

  • Tony Hustle "Come Again" Music Video Beans "Paper Cut" Music Video, Production Assistant 2005

  • Elevation Filmworks- Internship 2005

  • Trahan, Burden and Charles -Dow Jones Industrial Editorial, Production Assistant 2005

  • Ridley Scott Associates, NYC- Internship 2005

Volunteer Work

  • Donated in-kind services of gallery construction, delivery of materials and assembly for the CMPLX Gallery in Memphis, TN 2019.

  • Donated original artwork for auction through ESPN Academy in Memphis, TN, 2018
    ESPN Academy is a non-profit,  highly recognized, quality academic enrichment program. Children participate in age-appropriate education and enrichment opportunities that enhance their educational and social development. Their website is HERE.

  • Art therapy classes to pre-school children at the Druid Hill YMCA in Baltimore, Maryland, 2005

  • Art classes with various public schools in Baltimore, MD in 2003 through Maryland Institute, College of Art.

  • Presented career lectures through Arts Memphis and Ed Rice Community Center in 2010.

  • Presented “Art for Children” lecture to future public school teachers at University of Memphis (Collierville) regarding successful art practices for Memphis City Schools.

  • Career lecture to high school students in 2012.

  • Provided free services to design logo and promotional materials for ESPN Academy (Education, Scholarship, Preparation); Organization in Memphis 2012-2014

  • In 2016, I participated with Memphis’ Crosstown Arts “Hustle” panel, to help local artists promote their work online.

Education

  • Masters of Fine Art/Digital Art,  Maryland Institute, College of Art 2003

  • BA Illustration, Maryland Institute, College of Art 2002

Press

August 2019

Matthew Thomas teams with Artline Wholesalers & Artline Group with licensed prints for hospitality, healthcare, & government industries. Link HERE

July 2018

Art Direction for Documentary Film “Juvenile” (2020)

Cat & Fish and True Story Pictures selects Matthew Thomas as Art Director for new documentary Juvenile (2020). View Trailer

October 2018

ARTIST CORALINA MEYER @ QUEENS MUSEUM : CUNT QUILT 2018

A long time friend and artist asked for photographic documentation of her creative process and social engagement for the S.T.E.P exhibition opening at the Queens Museum in New York. Dozens of participants gathered on a crisp Fall afternoon for the Q4 2018 Stitch n Bitch. Feminists across the spectrum laid out a palette of donated women’s underwear on the museum floor in preparation for the latest City of Today for Feminine Urbanism flag.  Links HERE. Coralina Meyers website HERE.

May 2018

Wescover Interviews Matthew Thomas about his creative process, motivation, & client-building. Here is a VIDEO of his studio. Interview  Link HERE

April 2018

Hilton Hotels & Stanford Hotels creative collaboration with Matthew Thomas for the newly renovated L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington D.C.

Creative Role: Art creation, graphic design, photography, licensing

Client: Hilton Hotels, Stanford Hotels

Interior Design Lead: Vaishali Sharma, Designer: Jennifer Lee, Textile Production: Knoll

This was by far the largest design and licensing project to date. I was hired to create an original design pattern, which included creative mock-ups, conceptual development, photography and digital compositing for the new headboards for the hotel. I worked closely with the lead and junior interior designers, fabricators, and Knoll to produce three variants for production. Hilton Hotels & Stanford Hotels creative collaboration with Matthew Thomas for the newly renovated L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington D.C.

July 2017

Park Terrace Hotel, Bryant Park Selects Matthew Thomas Art for Bryant Park Renovations.

Park Terrace Hotel, an unexpected respite in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Located on Bryant Park, it’s a place to gather your thoughts—or be inspired. With its sophisticated design and best-in-class technology, this is the place to work productively, while still finding peace and restoration in urban nature. Matthew Thomas created two  paintings  for Park Terrace Hotel's newly renovated lobby.These works were created to commemorate William Cullen Bryant's contributions to American poetry, spiritual reflection of his work and the rigorous duality of personal and professional success as editor of the New York Post. Hotel renovations and art collections on view November 2017.

April 2017

Artwork Licensed for Steve McQueen's "Widows" (2018) set decor.

Set in contemporary Chicago, amidst a time of turmoil, four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands' criminal activities take fate into their own hands and conspire to forge a future on their own terms.

October, 2016

Fox's Networks "The Exorcist" licenses Matthew Thomas' Artwork for Season 1

http://www.fox.com/the-exorcist/article/about-the-show

Matthew Thomas' abstract paintings of ambient color fields and dark themes have been selected by Fox Network for the first season of "The Exorcist". Nine images will be displayed as part of the set decor. Widely regarded as the greatest horror movie ever made, “The Exorcist” broke box office records and terrified audiences around the world. Now, more than four decades after the Academy Award-nominated film, THE EXORCIST returns as a TV series. Directed by Rupert Wyatt (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”), THE EXORCIST is a propulsive psychological thriller following two very different priests tackling one family’s case of horrifying demonic possession. For more information see the above link.

September 2, 2016

Set Decorator for Fox's Empire Launches New Website With Artists

http://www.chicagomag.com/atwork/          Caroline Perzan's Website

Caroline Perzan holding Matthew Thomas' commissioned work of Lucious Lyons (played by Terrence Howard) on the set of Fox Network's Empire (Season 2). Photo by Clayton Hauck

“I do all the decorating on set that doesn’t involve architecture. That means rugs, lighting, drapery, furniture. From day one, we wanted to establish a look for Empire. [Cocreator] Lee Daniels is crazy about art—he’s a collector—and asked me to blend famous hip-hop painters like Kehinde Wiley with greats like Van Gogh. We have a saying on set when we need to ‘Empire up’ a room: We call it ‘zhuzhing’ it. That means adding gold, silver, fur, jewels, alligator, a funky sculpture—even a bong if it’s [the character] Hakeem. The whole show is about blending Old World antique beauty with new hip-hop glitz. I commissioned the artist Matthew Thomas to do the portrait of Lucious [played by Terrence Howard] I’m holding here. It hangs behind him in his study. The room felt like it needed some art, and he’s the kind of character who would have a portrait done. He’s King Lear.” —Interview by Matt Pollock

May 10, 2016

Hustle: Website Design and Management  

http://crosstownarts.org/calendar/hustle-website-design-management/

Making artwork is the best part of an art career but promoting your work can be a critical key to success. Demystify the process of promoting yourself through a website and complementary social media strategies. Learn how to do it yourself or what to consider when hiring a professional. Hustle: Professional development for artists is a free program organized by ArtsMemphis, UrbanArt Commission, and Crosstown Arts. The series will provide visual artists with information, resources, and opportunities to support them in the development of their professional careers. Workshop topics will range from positive studio practices to pricing work and navigating gallery representation. Questions? Contact Mary Jo Karimnia at maryjo@crosstownarts.org

Presentations by Matthew Thomas & Corkey Sinks

Crosstown Arts - story booth, 438 N. Cleveland

Program begins at 6 pm, May 17, 2016

May 9, 2016

The Man Show  

http://lrossgallery.com/exhibitions/the-man-show/

The Man Show explores the viewpoints, conceptual ideas and ideologies of a diverse group of male artists living and working in the Mid-south. Each artist’s unique background, cultural identity, and life experience colors a collection of work that reflects on the evolving nature of masculinity in America.

Reception: Friday, June 3 6 - 8pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, June 4 11am-1pm
Exhibition: June 3 - 25, 2016
Artists Featured in the Exhibit:
Timothy Andrews . Eli Gold . Jan Hankins . Jed Jackson . Chuck Johnson . Richard Lou . Terry Lynn . Kevin Mitchell . Jason Miller . Carl E. Moore . Tom Murry . Nick Pena`. Michael Stanley . Matthew Thomas 

Curated by:
Carl E. Moore and Melissa Farris

L Ross Gallery 5040 Sanderlin Ave, Memphis, TN 38117

September 1, 2015

Matthew Thomas commissioned artwork for Fox Network's "Empire" Season 2

 

September 2, 2015

Matthew Thomas licensed artwork for Fox Network's "Empire" Season 2

 

September 14, 2015

ARE MFAS WORTH IT? 

WE SPOKE WITH DOZENS OF MFA GRADS TO ANSWER THAT TRICKY, PERENNIAL QUESTION.  By Sarah Lawson.  Click HERE

June 3, 2015

Selections from the Kentler Flatfiles: Matthew Thomas' Inheritance (from Love, Sex & Drunk-texts)

"Matthew Thomas’s densely layered digital drawings mine the vocabulary of recent pop culture. His frenetic, saccharine-hued print, Inheritance, features a symmetrical format reminiscent of religious iconography and a hierarchical inventory of the trappings of contemporary male success—fame, women, style and wealth." ENTER FILE

 

Stack / File is a dual-platformed curatorial experiment designed to re-create the agency inherent to the process of exploring the Kentler Flatfiles. The first platform, Stack, is a traditional selections show using the layered and stacked storage of the Flatfiles as a theoretical catalyst to explore issues relating to superimposition.  Guest Curator: Ana Torok

January 3, 2015

Club Quarters Hotels Selects Matthew Thomas Art for Philadelphia, PA Location

September 1, 2014

Matthew Thomas selected with various artists for Fox Network's "Empire"

Lee Daniels Selects Matthew Thomas' Artwork For Set Design. fox.com/empire

 

July 14, 2014

The Filling Station

www.Artsmemphis.org

Coined “The Filling Station,” this year’s event will be a showcase of great art with a truck stop theme, transforming the loading dock of the Water Tower Pavilion into an art lovers’ truck stop. Artists Matthew F. Thomas, Coriana Close, Alex Paulus and Niles Wallace.

September 16, 2013

5 Contemporary Black Artists

www.Examiner.com

The art world has been quite singular in its representation of notable contemporaries, especially when there’s race involved. The presence of black artists have always been ‘few and far between’; if it isn’t a retrospective on a museum floor of African tribal sculptures and memorabilia, then it isn’t ‘black art.’ For years people have overlooked the skill and sheer brilliance of black artists but, today, African American artists are changing the landscape of contemporary art and creating works that are intuitive, progressive and aesthetically exquisite. Here are 5 contemporary black artists that you ought to know.

July 3, 2013

Matthew Thomas Is Granted Tennessee Arts Commission's Individual Artist Fellowship Award For 2014.

Tennessee based artist Matthew Thomas will be granted the distinct honor of becoming one of only 12 fellowships granted the Tennessee Arts Commision's Individual Artist Fellowship Award for 2014. The grant is for Visual Art/ Two-Dimensional artwork. Executive Director Anne B. Pope and Rhea Condra (TAC chair) sent letters of acceptance July 1, 2013.

June 28, 2013

San Jose Real Podcast Interview

Matthew Thomas expresses honest candor as he discusses art world social cliques, how race can be a determining factor, and why his art became more popular after he stopped caring what other people thought. Listen HERE.

May 2013

Something In Particular, Group Exhibition, Clear Film Gallery, Atlanta, GA. 2013

Link HERE

10 Artists / 10 Southern Towns / 10 Series of Works. 
Where: L1 Gallery. Located at The Telephone Factory Lofts, 828 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
When: Opening Reception Saturday, April 27th, 7-11pm
Closing Reception Sunday, May 26th, 4:00-8pm

The South is known for its tumultuous history, its inviting landscapes, and its vast array of characters. In this region known for its agricultural roots, race conflicts, high societies, wistfulness and sentimentality we discovered a wide range of artists hard at work. From Asheville to Memphis, New Orleans and beyond, a rich tapestry of artist are working at the highest level of conceptual art practice.

Our mission to bring deserved attention to the creative force in the South began a little over a year ago. And now we want to share our discoveries with you. This show is the first of a series that features artists that are moving our conversation forward, taking us on an expedition through political and cultural changes shaping our region and our world. Please join Something In Particular for a one-month curated show featuring 10 southern artists.

June 1, 2013

Matthew Thomas And Magic Johnson's Aspire Television: One Year Later Anniversary Video

Video Link HERE

 

April 18, 2013

Hardcover Coffee Table Of Love, Sex & Drunk-Text Is Here.

12x 12 inches, 112 pages, full color, premium 100 lb pages, bookstore quality with matte lustre finish. Blurb Publishing. 

Feburary 27, 2013

Huffington Post's Arts & Culture Lists Matthew Thomas In Black Artists: 30 Contemporary Art Makers Under 40 You Should Know

View Huffington Post Article

As Black History Month comes to a close, we've picked 30 young black artists who are contributing to the ongoing conversation of race and representation in contemporary art. Whether through sculpture, photography, video or performance, each artist illuminates the complexity of the self with a unique and bold vision.

From Kalup Linzy's soap opera shorts to Kehinde Wiley's traditional portraits updated with black models, the following young artists show there is no single way to address race in contemporary culture. Playful or meditative, sarcastic or somber, the following artists tackle the subject with a ferocious curiosity, passion and vulnerability.

January 16, 2013

Singular Masses: An Examination Of Racial Identity

January 23, 2013 @ 12:00 pm – March 9, 2013 @ 5:00 pm,  Receptions: Fri., Jan. 25, 6–9 p.m. and Fri., Feb. 22, 6–9 p.m.  Hyde Gallery, Nesin Graduate School, 477 S Main St Memphis,TN 38103

Singular Masses, which is curated by MCA’s Coordinator of Exhibitions and Lectures Cat Peña, presents the work of seven artists: Yashua Klos, Anthony Lee, Lester Merriweather, Carl E. Moore, Toyin Odutola, Io Palmer and Matthew Thomas. Each artist offers his or her unique perspective on personal identity and how it is shaped or influenced by factors such as race or racial stereotype.

July 13, 2012

To Be Young, Gifted & Black In the age of Obama

Kentler International Drawing Center, 353 Van Brunt St., Brooklyn. Exhibition Dates: September 7 – October 21, Opening: Friday, September 7, 6 - 8pm, Curator’s Talk: Sunday, September 23, 4pm

The Arts - music, theater, dance, literature, and visual arts – through human history have recorded cultural events and memory.  The Black Arts Movement (BAM), founded in Harlem during the mid-1960s, is the artistic branch of the Black Power movement, a facet of the American Civil Rights Movement.

Given the rich history of a BAM that defined cultural aesthetics in many art forms during a specific time period in American history, what does it mean for African American artists, who were not conceived or born at the time of the BAM, to be young, gifted and Black in the age of an Obama presidency?  What is the response of young, educated African American artists today working in an “art world” that continues to be dominated by a white male aesthetic and sensibility, and a market place that, in most cases, has shunned their voices?

June 27, 2012

Magic Johnson's Aspire Television Interstitials And Launch Party, New York City

 

Artwork (featured on right) illustrated by Matthew Thomas.

Initially selected for the first-day run of Aspire Television's interstitials of inspiring individuals, the producers saw my work and wanted something special for the launch party in New York. Of course I said yes. Special thanks to Running Pony Productions in Memphis, Tn. My video can be seen on ASPiRE- Time Warner Cable New York Channel 171

ASPiRE delivers enlightening, entertaining and positive programming to African-American families with a diverse slate including movies, documentaries, short films, music, comedy, visual and performing arts and faith and inspirational programs.

The network launched June 27, 2012 to millions of customers on Comcast’s digital basic tier with additional distribution to be announced.  ASPiRE’s principal owner is Magic Johnson Enterprises.  The network’s Chairman and CEO is Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

ASPiRE celebrates African-American heritage and groundbreaking cultural achievements and creates new opportunities for the next generation of ground-breakers and game-changers.  Grounded in faith, family and community, ASPiRE reflects positive images of the African-American culture.  http://www.aspire.tv/people/matthew-thomas

March 2, 2012

"Time, Talent And Tempera: ArtsMemphis Volunteer Art Show"

At ArtsMemphis, 575 S. Mendenhall, through March 31, 2012

"Thomas might be the discovery in this show, for two mixed media-digital prints -- "So Much Bigger" and "Is You Gay?" -- that bring a great deal of verve, humor and gee-whiz slyness and exuberance…" Article HERE

October 2011

HTC Inspiration Tour 2011- Matthew Thomas as featured artist for September release of the HTC Rhyme Smartphone. Tour Coverage Here.   Photos Here.

 

"Matthew was one of the most interesting hosts on the tour, not only was his artwork exquisite, he has such an interesting background, which comes out in his amazing portraits. I really loved all them, especially the ones of his dog and the more abstract pieces."

September 1, 2011

Mourning Revival: A Family's Struggle With Violence, Cancer, And AIDS.

Location:  Power House Gallery, 45 East G.E.Patterson Ave., Memphis, TN 38103, Hours:     Thursday, October 6, 2011, 6pm-9pm

Seven paintings by Matthew F. Thomas will be on view for a one-night exhibition at Memphis Central Station’s Power House Gallery. Driven by his investigation of mortality, Mourning Revival: A Family’s Struggle With Violence, Cancer, and AIDS is an exhibition of his family’s resilience and survival. His subjects span from New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis, to Tennessee. The series also includes self-portraits of the artist, which recall his own near death experiences as a teenager in Memphis, Tennessee. 

October 20, 2010

Various Works On View At Billie's Black, Harlem

Friday, November 19, 2010, 8pm.

October 9-10, 2010

Matthew Thomas Art Opens At H&M Gallery, Harlem Arts Walk 2010.

An arts renaissance has been slowly building in Harlem in the past few years evidenced in the form of several new art galleries, cultural centers and art studios. Due to the fact that Harlem is such a large area, Harlem Heritage Tours has developed two Art Walking tours that feature galleries and studios in two distinct sections of the community: the Central Harlem territory and Historic Sugar Hill. Each Art Walk has a different meeting location that is easy to get to by mass transportation. These walks are perfect for those looking for the simultaneous mix of learning about Harlem’s history and seeing great works of modern day Harlem art.

Matthew Thomas' work will be featured in the heart of the walk at Hand M Gallery of Harlem at 17E. 125th Street. The tour starts on Saturday Oct. 9th at 9 am. He will be showing new works of abstraction and figurative art completed in South Africa's Cape Town and Harlem, NYC.

June 1, 2010

Matthew Thomas' "Drop Zone" 
Opening Reception: Sunday, July 18, 2010 2-5 pm.
Gallery Talk: Sunday, August 15, 2010, 2-5 pm.

“Drop Zone” is an exhibit of abstract paintings which attempts to “ illustrate the psychological warfare of human existence within an immeasurable institution of ever-changing rules of engagement.”

(July 15, 2010 – New York) Strivers Gardens Gallery is pleased to announce the following exhibitions by two distinguished Harlem-based artists: “Portraits in Quilt” by Laura R. Gadson and “Drop Zone” by Matthew Thomas. The Opening Reception will take place on Sunday, July 18, 2010 from 2:00 to 5:00 at the Strivers Gardens Gallery located at 300 West 135th Street. The Exhibition will run from July 15, 2008 through September 5, 2010.

August 6, 2011

ARTIST’S FAMILY PORTRAITS OF VIOLENCE, CANCER, AND AIDS ON VIEW AT MEMPHIS CENTRAL STATION’S POWERHOUSE GALLERY.

Location:    Power House Gallery, 45 East G.E.Patterson Ave., Memphis, TN 38103

Hours:       Thursday, October 6, 2011, 6pm-9pm

Seven paintings by Matthew F. Thomas will be on view for a one-night exhibition at Memphis Central Station’s Power House Gallery. Driven by his investigation of mortality, Mourning Revival: A Family’s Struggle With Violence, Cancer, and AIDS is an exhibition of his family’s resilience and survival. His subjects span from New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis, to Tennessee. The series also includes self-portraits of the artist, which recall his own near death experiences as a teenager in Memphis, Tennessee.

Mourning Revival attempts to encourage awareness and fresh discourse about the impact of violence, cancer, and AIDS in America. Matthew’s process of constructing each painting by hand, from selecting lumber for stretchers to mulling pigments into paint, is to reconstruct a new chapter of his life through art. Matthew recently declined a solo exhibition for Mourning Revival in New York City for the chance to exhibit and run his first exhibition in Memphis.

Matthew Thomas exhibited at his first group exhibition at Spiral Gardens in Tokyo, Japan after winning the Gold Award for Canon Digital Creators in 2003 and his first film screening at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004. He received his BFA and MFA from Maryland Institute, College of Art in 2002 and 2003. He has been awarded the Jerome Foundation Grant 2006, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Office Space Grant 2006, the 911 Fund Grant 2006, and exhibition space in Harlem, NY through the Chashama Arts Organization in 2009 and 2011.

October 7, 2010

Thomas’ Art Walks

That has always been the conventional wisdom approach to the art of art-buying. Matthew Thomas‘ art not only speaks, but does so in English, French, Afrikaans, Braille, German, Italian, Sign, Bengali, Mandarin, Punjabi, Polish, Dutch, Greek, Creole, Swedish, Armenian and Spanish. All at once. Loudly. Creating pieces that can easily be interpreted, loved and appreciated by people from all walks of life, Thomas is a young, gifted man. http://kitchensofa.wordpress.com/2010/10/07/thomas-art-walks/

August 9, 2010 

AWARD WINNING PAINTER/ FILMMAKER MATTHEW THOMAS ON VIEW DURING HARLEM ARTS WALKING TOUR 2010.

An exhibition of 11 new paintings will be on  view from October 9-10,2010.

Casa Frela Gallery, 47W 119th Street, New York, NY 10035

H&M Gallery, 17 East 125th Street, New York, NY 10030

Saturday- Sunday, 9 A.M.-5 P.M.

Eleven recent paintings by New York based artist Matthew Thomas will be on view at H&M Gallery from October 9-10. Matthew Thomas is one of the most sought-after local artists in Harlem working in both minimalist and figurative styles.

Driven by his investigation of life as a battlefield of psychological and social campaigns, Matthew Thomas presents new minimalist works of art created through digital and traditional painting. These works investigate his own aging desires of greatness, question the influence of social symbols, and remap his journey onward. His opposing styles of figurative and minimalism embrace and reject the symbolic meaning of the black male figure in art history. His application of paint is spackled, layered, and muddled to question social space and belonging.

Matthew Thomas was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1980. He had his first group exhibition at Spiral Gardens in Tokyo, Japan after winning the Gold Award for Canon Digital Creators in 2003 and his first film screening at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004. He received his BFA and MFA from Maryland Institute, College of Art in 2003. Since then, he has explored both film and painting, creating a body of work including screenplays, conceptual artwork, figurative and abstract art.

Matthew Thomas has been awarded the Jerome Foundation Grant 2006, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Office Space Grant 2006, the 911 Fund Grant 2006, and exhibition space in Harlem through the Chashama Arts Organization 2009.

10 works will be shown at H&M Gallery. One piece will be shown at Casa Frela Gallery