MATTHEW WOOD: Dream a little dream
September 21, 2024 - October 26, 2024
Press Release
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(Dallas) Ro2 Art is delighted to present “Dream A Little Dream,” a vibrant and thought-provoking exhibition by Dallas-based artist Matthew “Woody” Wood. Blurring the lines between reality and abstraction, Woody’s work balances sophistication with a sense of playfulness, engaging viewers through unexpected materials and dynamic compositions. Originally trained as a painter, Woody’s creative journey has led him to experiment with unconventional mediums, such as rare vintage Chroma Rama paper, and to develop a unique visual language built upon manipulated photographs of shadows and abstract forms.
In his “Biomorphagrams,” Woody challenges traditional perceptions of space and form, crafting layered constructions that exist somewhere between two and three dimensions. His approach is both meticulous and spontaneous—each piece is an exploration of dualities, melding the tangible with the intangible, the familiar with the fantastical. Drawing inspiration from both art history and contemporary pop culture, Woody’s creations invite viewers to step into a world where static forms pulse with life and hidden narratives unfold across vibrant, multi-dimensional constructions. At the heart of his practice is a playful embrace of chance and imperfection, underscoring his belief that the unexpected can lead to deeper, more meaningful connections between the artwork and its audience. “Dream A Little Dream” is on view from September 21 to October 26, 2024, at Ro2 Art in Dallas. Press Release |
About the Artist
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Originally a painter, Dallas-based artist Matthew “Woody” Wood started exploring alternative mediums in the 1990s while attending the Kansas City Art institute. Drawing inspiration from works that forego the inclusion of brushwork or human touch, Woody works with a rare vintage paper, Chroma Rama, in order to produce multi-dimensional works that eclipse the appearance of the artist’s hand in their creation. During his graduate studies at NYU he began an in-depth process of photographing pedestrians’ shadows and manipulating the resulting images, thus creating his own visual language of abstract forms to employ in his work.
These explorations in abstract shapes form the basis of Woody’s Biomorphagrams, which are multi-layered constructions that blur the line between static form and fluid process. Existing somewhere in the space between two- dimensional and three-dimensional, his work is deeply influenced by the twofold art historical context of realism and abstraction while drawing on both past and present pop culture for inspiration. In playing with the ideas of dimension, genre, and dual cultural concepts, Woody imbues his work with the definitive ambition of working contemporary artists: creating works that are ultimately timeless. |
ARTIST Statement
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show statement
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When envisioning my new "Dreamscapes" series, I found myself reflecting deeply on some of my earliest artistic inspirations. Influences such as Abstract Expressionism and Cubism have always held a significant place in my creative journey. The form language present in Picasso's "Guernica", with its stark, thought-provoking composition, and the orchestrated freedom within Willem de Kooning's early, slightly figurative non-objective, "all-over" compositions, both profoundly captivated my imagination as a young artist and still do today. These masterful works have consistently challenged and expanded my ways of seeing in context to figurative abstraction. Through this new series, I seek to merge elements of these influential styles to offer viewers the same sense of inspiration and new perspectives that Picasso and de Kooning ignited in me.
The title of the exhibition, "Dream a Little Dream", holds a dual significance. It serves as a powerful affirmation about the importance of pursuing one's dreams, regardless of their size or scope. Additionally, it nods to the nostalgic cultural references found in both the song and movie of the same title. This blend of aspirational and pop culture elements underscores the multifaceted nature of dreams in our lives. In terms of artistic process, these new works represent a significant evolution and complexity. Each piece in this series consists of several individual compositions that come together to form one cohesive overall composition. Unlike my previous, more organically developed works, these new creations are meticulously pre-planned using digital tools such as Photoshop. This careful planning allows me to ensure that the final physical pieces closely resemble their digital thumbnails, blending spontaneity with precision. A constant element in my art is the use of the 18 shapes that make up my Biomorphagram language. These shapes form the core of both my earlier and new works. Similar to how a composer uses the twelve notes of the musical scale to craft a diverse range of music, I utilize my 18 shapes to generate a wide array of visual compositions. In the "Dreamscapes" series, these shapes function akin to a multi-layered symphony, offering a rich and complex narrative. In contrast, my earlier works can be seen as individual movements or snapshots within a more intricate storyline. Ultimately, I am both excited and honored to share this new body of work. It represents not just an amalgamation of my inspirations and past influences but also a testament to my ongoing artistic growth and aspirations. Through "Dream a Little Dream," I hope to inspire viewers to see the world, and their dreams, in a new light. |
