Matthew always painted but managed to distract himself with a few alternative careers. He’s worked as a designer, art-director, lecturer & writer, with his first novel short-listed for the Vogel Literature Award. He’s lived in Australia, Europe and Asia, including several months encamped beneath a grand piano. He’s spent nights under stars in India, under-ground in Bolivia, under surveillance in Burma and under-nourished in London.
His scariest moment was having machine-gun shoved in his face during Nepalese anti-monarchy riots, although crashing a paraglider into a forest was also something of a highlight. Featured in BRW as one of Australia’s top 50 artists, in the past few years Matthew’s won, or been a finalist for, 70 national juried art awards. He’s had 18 solo and more than 80 group shows.
Selected Solo Exhibition
2019
This Used To be The Future, Nanda Hobbs Contemporary, NSW, Australia
The Rules of Engagement, The Barn Contemporary Art Space, Shenzhen, China
2017
Bling, Nanda Hobbs Contemporary, NSW, Australia
2016
Those Early Days Of Hope, Metro Gallery, VIC, Australia
2015
Based On Actual Events, Nanda Hobbs Contemporary, NSW, Australia
2014
Monumental Nobodies, Art Equity, King Street, NSW, Australia
2013
Accidental Empires, Hill Smith Gallery, Pirie Street, SA, Australia
2012
Pure Freedom, Art Equity, Barrack Street, NSW, Australia
Pure Hope, The Abbotsford Convent, VIC, Australia
2011
Introduced Species, Art Index, NSW, Australia
2010
Pure Obsession, Art Index, NSW, Australia
2009
Art Sydney, Royal Hall of Industries, NSW, Australia
The Studio @ Art Melbourne, Exhibition Building, VIC, Australia
2008
Pure Escapism, Delshan Gallery, VIC, Australia
Pure Truth, Frankston Arts Centre, VIC, Australia
2007
Lost Souls, Delshan Gallery, VIC, Australia
2006
Side Effects Include, Jiotto Gallery, VIC, Australia
Selected Group Exhibitions
2020
Fantastical Beasts, Cory Helford Gallery, Los Angeles, USA
Storytellers, Flinders Lane Gallery, VIC, Australia
Antipodes, Beinart Gallery, VIC, Australia
2019
A Fine Romance, Gippsland Art Gallery, VIC, Australia
Summer Show, Nanda/Hobbs, NSW, Australia
EMSL Award, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, NSW, Australia
A Fine Romance, Gippsland Regional Art Gallery, VIC, Australia
Summer Collection, Metro Gallery, VIC, Australia
Flow, Beinart Gallery, VIC, Australia
EMSL Award, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, NSW tour, Australia
Fisher's Ghost Art Prize, Campbell town Arts Centre, NSW, Australia
Sydney Contemporary, Carriageworks, NSW, Australia
Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, NSW, Australia
Kennedy Art Prize, Royal South Australian Society of Arts, Australia
Stanthorpe Art Prize, Weeroona Park, NSW, Australia
Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés, Hilton South Wharf, VIC, Australia
Focal Point, Hill Smith Gallery, Pirie Street, SA, Australia
Vincent Art Prize, Duckrabbit, NSW, Australia
Shifting Space, 222 Roslyn, VIC, Australia
Making Marks, Memphis Gardens, VIC, Australia
2017
Manning Art Prize, Manning Regional Art Gallery, NSW, Australia
Fisher’s Ghost Art Prize, Campbell town Arts Centre, NSW, Australia
Calleen Art Prize, Cowra Regional Art Gallery, NSW, Australia
Nillumbik Art Prize, Montsalvat, VIC, Australia
Bluethumb Art Prize, No Vacancy Gallery, VIC, Australia
North Sydney Art Prize, The Coal Loader Centre, NSW, Australia
2016
Summer Group Show, Metro Gallery, VIC, Australia
Virtual Connections GPO Martin Place, NSW, Australia
Menagerie Group Exhibition, Hill Smith Gallery, PirieStreet, SA, Australia
City of Albany Art Prize, Vancouver Arts Centre, WA ,Australia
Equus, Olsen Irwin Gallery, 63 Jersey Road, NSW, Australia
Inaugural Group Exhibition, beinArt Gallery, VIC, Australia
Stanthorpe Art Prize, Weeroona Park, QLD, Australia
2015
Arthur Guy Memorial Painting Prize, Bendigo Art Gallery, VIC, Australia
Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, NSW, Australia
Kilgour Prize; Newcastle Art Gallery, NSW, Australia
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, NSW,Australia
The Whyalla Art Prize, Middleback Arts Centre, SA, Australia
Sunshine Coast Art Prize, Caloundra Regional Gallery, QLD, Australia
Calleen Art Prize, Cowra Regional Art Gallery, NSW, Australia
Nillumbik Art Prize, Montsalvat, VIC, Australia
2014
Archibald, Wynne & Sulman Art Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, Australia
Fisher’s Ghost Art Prize, Cambelltown Arts Centre, NSW, Australia
Kilgour Prize; Newcastle Art Gallery, NSW, Australia
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, NSW, Australia
Kennedy Art Prize, Stomping Ground Studios, SA, Australia
City of Albany Art Prize, Vancouver Arts Centre, WA, Australia
Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize, Perc Tucker Gallery, QLD, Australia
Calleen Art Prize, Cowra Regional Art Gallery, NSW, Australia
2013
Gold Coast Art Prize, Gold Coast Arts Centre, QLD, Australia
Gallery Artists, Art Equity, Barrack Street, NSW, Australia
Artists Salon, Hill Smith Gallery, Pirie Street, SA, Australia
Fisher’s Ghost Art Prize, Cambelltown Arts Centre, NSW, Australia
Doug Moran National Portrait Award, Juniper Hall, NSW, Australia
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, NSW, Australia
The Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, Perth Town Hall, WA, Australia
Outback Art Prize, Broken Hill Regional Gallery, NSW, Australia
Nillumbik Art Prize, Montsalvat, VIC, Australia
Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés, Hilton South Wharf, VIC, Australia
2012
Archibald, Wynne & Sulman Art Prize, Art Gallery of NSW,NSW, Australia
Redland Art Award, Redland Art Gallery, QLD, Australia
Fisher’s Ghost Art Prize, Cambelltown Arts Centre, NSW,Australia
Mortimore Art Prize, NSW and ACT, Australia
Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, NSW, Australia
Glover Prize, Falls Park Hall, TAS, Australia
Calleen Art Prize, Cowra Regional Art Gallery, NSW,Australia
Surburbia, Wyndham Art Gallery, VIC, Australia
The Salon, The Abbotsford Convent, VIC, Australia
Percival Portrait Award, Perc Tucker Gallery, QLD, Australia
Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés, Hilton South Wharf, VIC,Australia
The Outback Art Prize, Outback Regional Gallery, QLD,Australia
2011
Duke Art Prize, Gold Coast Arts Centre, QLD, Australia
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award, Coffs Harbour RegionalGallery, NSW, Australia
The Whyalla Art Prize, Middleback Arts Centre, SA, Australia
Best of the Salon des Refusés, Media House Gallery, VIC, Australia
Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés, Hilton South Wharf, VIC, Australia
2010
Redland Art Award, Redland Art Gallery, QLD, Australia
Mortimore Art Prize, Sydney, ACT & NSW, Australia
Paddington Art Prize, Menzies Art Brands Gallery, NSW, Australia
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award, Coffs Harbour RegionalGallery, NSW, Australia
The Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, Perth Town Hall, WA, Australia
Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés, Hilton South Wharf, VIC, Australia
Best of the Salon des Refusés, Media House Gallery, VIC, Australia
City of Albany Art Prize, Vancouver Arts Centre, WA, Australia
2009
The Whyalla Art Prize, Middleback Theatre, Whyalla, SA, Australia
The Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, Perth Town Hall, WA, Australia
Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés, SMART ArtZ Gallery, VIC, Australia
Mortimore Art Prize, Sydney, ACT & NSW, Australia
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, NSW, Australia
Churchie National Art Award, Morris Hall, QLD, Australia
Prometheus Art Award, All Saints Anglican School, QLD, Australia
2008
Townsville Open Art Award, Perc Tucker Gallery, QLD, Australia
Norvill Art Prize, RSL Gallery, NSW, Australia
John Leslie Art Prize, Gippsland Art Gallery, VIC, Australia
Mortimore Art Prize, Sydney, ACT & NSW, Australia
Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, NSW, Australia
Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés, SH Erwin Gallery, NSW, Australia
Stanthorpe Art Prize, Weeroona Park, QLD, Australia
35th Alice Prize, Araluen Art Centre, Alice Springs NT, Australia
2007
Duke Art Prize, Gold Coast Arts Centre, QLD, Australia
Mortimore Art Prize, Sydney, Canberra & regional NSWSydney Art Fair, NSW,Australia Macarthur Cook Art Award, 45 Downstairs, VIC, Australia
Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés, VIC, Australia
Art Melbourne, The Exhibition Building, VIC, Australia
2x22, Counihan Gallery, VIC, Australia
2006
ANL Maritime Art Prize, Seafarers Mission, VIC, Australia
Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés, VIC, Australia
1992
Roar II, VIC, Australia
1989
Art Gallery of South Australian Touring Exhibition, VIC, Australia
1988
Illustration Now, Adelaide Festival Theatre, SA, Australia
Awards and Prizes
2019
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award, Finalist
2018
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award, Finalist Fisher’s GhostArt Prize, Finalist
Mosman Art Prize, Finalist
Kennedy Art Prize, Finalist
Stanthorpe Art Prize, Finalist
Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés, VIC
Vincent Art Prize, Finalist
2017
Manning Art Prize, Finalist The Savvy Painter, FinalistFisher’s Ghost ArtPrize, Finalist Calleen Art Prize; Finalist Nillumbik ArtPrize; Finalist NorthSydney Art Prize; Finalist
North Sydney Art Prize; Finalist2016
City of Albany Art Prize; FinalistFisher's Ghost Open Art Prize; Finalist Bluethumb Art prize; FinalistStanthorpe Art Prize; Finalist
2015
Arthur Guy Memorial Painting Prize; FinalistMosman Art Prize; Finalist
Kilgour Prize; Finalist
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award; Finalist Whyalla Art Prize; FinalistSunshine Coast Art Prize; Finalist Calleen Art Prize; Finalist Nillumbuk Art Prize; Finalist
2014
The Sulman Prize; Finalist
Kilgour Prize; Finalist
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award; FinalistFisher’s Ghost Art Prize; FinalistKennedy Art Prize; Finalist
City of Albany Art Prize; Finalist & CommendedShirley Hannan National Portrait Prize; Finalist Glencore Percival Portrait Painting Prize; Finalist Calleen Art Prize; Finalist & Highly Commended
2013
Doug Moran National Portrait Award; Semi-finalistGold Coast Art Prize; FinalistFisher’s Ghost Art Prize; Finalist Eutick Memorial Still Life Award; Winner, Sponsor’s PrizeOutback Art Prize; Finalist
Black Swan Prize for Portraiture Salon des Refusés; Finalist Nillumbuk Art Prize; FinalistArchibald Prize Salon des Refusés (VIC)
2012
The Sulman Prize;Finalist
Fisher’s Ghost Art Prize; Finalist Redland Art Award; Finalist Mortimore Art Prize; FinalistMosman Art Prize; Finalist
The Glover Prize; Finalist
Calleen Art Prize; Finalist & Highly CommendedWilson Visual Arts Award; FinalistGainsborough Greens Art Awards; FinalistArchibald Prize Salon des Refusés (VIC) Percival Portrait Award; FinalistOutback Art Prize; Winner, Celebrity Prize
2011
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award; Winner,People’s ChoiceDuke Art Prize; Finalist
Whyalla Art Prize; Finalist
Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés (VIC)
2010
Redland Art Award; Finalist
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award; FinalistPaddington Art Prize; FinalistThe Norvill Art Prize; Finalist Mortimore Art Prize; FinalistThe Blake Prize Director’s CutBlack Swan Prize for Portraiture; FinalistCity of Albany Art Prize; FinalistArchibald Prize Salon des Refusés (VIC)
2009
The Whyalla Art Prize; Finalist Eutick Memorial Still Life Award; FinalistThe Blake Prize Director’s Cut Mortimore Art Prize; FinalistBlack Swan Prize for Portraiture; Finalist Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés(VIC)
Churchie National Emerging Art Award; FinalistPrometheus Visual Art Award; Finalist
2008
Townsville Open Art Award; Winner Mortimore Art Prize; FinalistThe Norvill Art Prize; FinalistThe John Leslie Art Prize; FinalistMosman Art Prize; Finalist Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés StanthorpeArtPrize; Finalist
The 35th Alice Prize; Finalist
2007
Duke Art Prize; Finalist Mortimore Art Prize; Finalist Macarthur Cook ArtAward; Winner, People’s Choice Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés (VIC)
2006
Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés (VIC)ANL Maritime Art Prize; Finalist