Matthew Chambers

Matthew Chambers

A new solo show at Hezi Cohen Gallery
07.04.2016 – 14.05.2016
Opening: Thursday, 7.4.2016, 8:00 p.m.

Thursday April 7th, Hezi Cohen Gallery will debut a second solo show in Tel Aviv of the artist Matthew Chambers, (Born 1982, Lives and works in L.A).

Chambers' work has been characterized for the past several years by a meticulous practice of figurative painting on dozens of canvases simultaneously. Each day he gathers mental images of 'glanced at' magazines and newspapers, books and random pamphlets in his mailbox, which he intuitively unloads onto the canvas, relying only on his memory. Regardless of the object within the painting his work is characterized by numerous layers of paint and a unified size canvas which lures the spectator to make comparisons between the pieces. At the core of his practice – as indicated by the artist – is the process itself, modality of the images and their transmission onto the canvas, rather than the finished 'artistic product'.

In his new exhibition Chambers is presenting a series of paintings used mainly as a Color Study. This large scale floral series is distinguished by vibrancy and saturation of color, emphasized by an unusual materialism. Although the color blocking and general shapes are added up to a recognizable figurative image of flowers, the unique use of color continuously draws the eye to the velvety surface of the painting. These are created through the use of layers of enamel and a final layer of nylon flock powder – a material that reflects light rays off the painted surface and produces a distinct velvet-like shimmer. Chambers wishes to further separate himself as much as possible away from the content and subject of his paintings, enough to create an identifiable image, figurative but not content heavy and thus enable the viewer to get drawn to the color flooding evoked by in these paintings.

The painting process began with purchasing various flower bouquets and photographing them in the different compositions created by the artist. These new compositions are drawn on the canvas later to be deconstructed into shapes and color blocks. Each color is applied separately, with at least 24 hours separating each and every color application. The production becomes democratized and each step becomes equally important. Chambers does not deal with questions such as 'what is right for the painting?' or 'What colors should this painting be?' – Questions which glorify the artists' status and position – but rather the simple question of 'What color do I want to paint today?', thus challenging the god-like rank the artist has in creating and giving birth to an art piece.

Matthew Chambers (B. 1982), lives and works in L.A. Participated in numerous exhibitions including: Praz-Delavallade, Paris (2015) | Zach Feuer Gallery, New York (2015) | Untitled, New York (2010, 2013) | Marlborough Madrid, Spain (2012) | Rubell Family Collection \ Contemporary Arts Foundation, Miami (2011). Upcoming exhibition at Painters' Painters, Saatchi Gallery London
In addition to numerous solo exhibitions shown at renowned galleries, Chambers has exhibited a solo show in Zabludowicz Collection, London dedicated to his works in the collection. Additional collections exhibiting Chambers' work are Susan and Michael Hort, New York | Sender Collection, New York | Il Giardino dei Lauri, Umbria, Italy | Saatchi Collection, London, UK.