Public Art
Matt's work can be seen in a number of public spaces around Sydney. He has been commissioned by both Lane Cove Council and the City of Canada Bay to design and hand apply his brightly coloured works on murals and traffic signal boxes.
He has also been involved in various public art events in Sydney, Perth and Auckland with both painted and sculptural exhibits.
Mural Commission - Blackman Park, Lane Cove
In June 2020 I was commissioned by Lane Cove City Council to design and paint a mural on the wall of a new cafe building at Blackman Park, Lane Cove.
The brief was to include the various activities undertaken at the park including sports, dog walking and socialising at the new cafe
The brief was to include the various activities undertaken at the park including sports, dog walking and socialising at the new cafe
Mural Commission - Concord Community Garden
Early in 2020 I was commissioned jointly by the City of Canada Bay and the Concord Community Garden to design and paint a signage mural for the community garden.
The brief was to include elements to illustrate the community aspect of the garden in addition to clearly written words.
The mural is on the external second storey wall of the community centre and was painted from scaffolding.
The brief was to include elements to illustrate the community aspect of the garden in addition to clearly written words.
The mural is on the external second storey wall of the community centre and was painted from scaffolding.
Message Tree - Eden Unearthered, Sydney
From July 2019 - January 2020 my sculptural Message Tree was exhibited at Sydney's Eden Gardens as part of Eden Unearthed exhibition.
The Message Tree was located in the Daffodil Garden next to the Cancer Council remembrance wall. It provided an opportunity for visitors to put pen to paper, to remember a loved one or just write a musing which they then placed into one of the 100 jars which adorned the tree.
The Message Tree was located in the Daffodil Garden next to the Cancer Council remembrance wall. It provided an opportunity for visitors to put pen to paper, to remember a loved one or just write a musing which they then placed into one of the 100 jars which adorned the tree.
Angelus Detritus - Lane Cove's Guiding Stars
Selected to participate in Lane Cove's Guiding Stars temporary public art project by Lane Cove Council in December 2018.
The purpose of the project was to encourage people to think about the amount of electronic waste generated through Christmas gift-giving.
My sculpture, Angelus Detritus, reflects the idea that we are speeding on the winds of progress whilst the angel watches the detritus of our consumerism ever piling its wreckage at her feet.
The purpose of the project was to encourage people to think about the amount of electronic waste generated through Christmas gift-giving.
My sculpture, Angelus Detritus, reflects the idea that we are speeding on the winds of progress whilst the angel watches the detritus of our consumerism ever piling its wreckage at her feet.
Lane Cove Remembers, Signal Box Commission
To mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day in November 2018, Lane Cove Council commissioned me to paint a signal box which reflected the local community's connection to wars, conflict and peace operations.
I'm Puzzled - The Big Hoot Event, Auckland
The Big Hoot was a joint public art project by The Child Cancer Foundation in partnership with Wild In Art.
The project incorporated 49 giant owl sculptures, each painted or decorated by selected local and International artists.
The owls were then displayed around Auckland for 9 weeks, during the autumn of 2018. Following the art trail the sculptures were auctioned off to raise much needed funds to continue the Child Cancer Foundation's work, supporting more than 1,700 families across New Zealand.
My owl, entitled I'm Puzzled, contributed NZ$6,500 to the funds raised by the project.
The project incorporated 49 giant owl sculptures, each painted or decorated by selected local and International artists.
The owls were then displayed around Auckland for 9 weeks, during the autumn of 2018. Following the art trail the sculptures were auctioned off to raise much needed funds to continue the Child Cancer Foundation's work, supporting more than 1,700 families across New Zealand.
My owl, entitled I'm Puzzled, contributed NZ$6,500 to the funds raised by the project.
City Splash - The Big Splash, Perth
The Big Splash was a vibrant art event that saw 36 life-sized dolphin sculptures exhibited in and around Perth early in 2018. Following the public art trail, the sculptures were auctioned off to raise vital funds for the Perth Children's Hospital's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit.
After 6 weeks on display outside the City of Perth Council House, my dolphin, entitled City Splash, sold for $3,500.
After 6 weeks on display outside the City of Perth Council House, my dolphin, entitled City Splash, sold for $3,500.
Risen From The Flames - Signal Box Commission, Lane Cove Council
In February 2017 I was commissioned by Lane Cove Council in Sydney to paint two traffic signal boxes on busy Epping Road.
The brief was site specific with Council wanting these boxes to be "a tribute to the industry of Lane Cove West".
My design, "Risen from the Flames" depicts both the original Chicago Starch Mills that opened on the banks of the Lane Cove River in 1894 and the mill as it exists today. The original mill was almost destroyed by fire in 1897 and since then has evolved with the various changes of guard over time, giving us now over 120 years of continuous industry and employment in the Lane Cove area.
The brief was site specific with Council wanting these boxes to be "a tribute to the industry of Lane Cove West".
My design, "Risen from the Flames" depicts both the original Chicago Starch Mills that opened on the banks of the Lane Cove River in 1894 and the mill as it exists today. The original mill was almost destroyed by fire in 1897 and since then has evolved with the various changes of guard over time, giving us now over 120 years of continuous industry and employment in the Lane Cove area.
Signal Box Commission, City of Canada Bay
Late 2016 I was commissioned by the City of Canada Bay local council to paint four traffic signal boxes in the suburb of Rhodes in Sydney.
Each of my designs explores the built environment that interweaves with the natural world and pays homage to Rhodes' parklands, water, transport and development.
Each of my designs explores the built environment that interweaves with the natural world and pays homage to Rhodes' parklands, water, transport and development.
Nature of Industriousness - Taronga Wild! Rhinos, Sydney
Taronga Wild! Rhinos was a joint public art project by The Taronga Conservation Foundation in partnership with Wild In Art and comprised 85 life-sized rhino sculptures each painted or decorated by a selected local or International artist.
The rhinos were displayed around Sydney and regional areas for 3 months. My rhino, The Nature of Industriousness was displayed at Darling Harbour. It was also chosen to be displayed at the Sydney Opera House for the official media launch and at Taronga Zoo for the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
In May 2014, 45 of the rhinos were auctioned at The Star with The Nature of Industriousness piece selling for $17,000. The project raised more than $460,000 for Taronga Zoo’s rhino breeding and field conservation programs.
The rhinos were displayed around Sydney and regional areas for 3 months. My rhino, The Nature of Industriousness was displayed at Darling Harbour. It was also chosen to be displayed at the Sydney Opera House for the official media launch and at Taronga Zoo for the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
In May 2014, 45 of the rhinos were auctioned at The Star with The Nature of Industriousness piece selling for $17,000. The project raised more than $460,000 for Taronga Zoo’s rhino breeding and field conservation programs.