Ipswich artist Matthew Cheyne is fascinated by space and time. In his latest exhibition at Mitchell Fine Art in Brisbane, Cheyne creates an otherworldly park to delve into our relationship with public space and its hidden power structures and absurdities.
Following on from his first sellout solo exhibition Matthew Cheyne reflects on the human urge to idealise nature to the point of abstraction.
A graduate of the Queensland College of Art, Cheyne lived in Germany and France for many years and spent time in the parks and gardens there, sketching and working en plein air.His artwork has often explored society’s fixation with a form of idealised nature – in minutely groomed lawns, crisp hedges and sparkling blue rectangular swimming pools.
“Keep Off the Grass’ is one step further from these domestic idealisations, with grass you can’t even walk on and perfectly conical and circular trees”, says Cheyne.
Matthew Cheyne’s practice deliberately sets out to create a visual dialogue and actively seeks the viewer’s participation in completing the narrative.His palette is vibrant and appears to be entirely intuitive, but this belies painstaking research into the semiotics of colour and composition that underpins his practice.
“I want to make work that presses forward, without sentimentality, but which invites people in and pulls them forward too” says Cheyne, admitting that the result of his endeavours will sometimes surprise even him.
The exhibition is showing from 6th – 24th June 2023 at Mitchell Fine Art in Fortitude Valley. An Opening Night will be held on Friday 9th June from 6 – 8pm with Matthew Cheyne in attendance.
On Saturday 10th June at 11am Matthew will present an Artist Talk in the gallery. This is a wonderful opportunity for art lovers and enthusiasts as he delves deep into the inspiration for his artistic practice. All events are free.
Image: ‘Take What You Need – Keep’ 152 x 152cm oil on linen (2023)
