matthew.works
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STATEMENT
I create artifacts, the objects that will be the strange, unexplained relics found in the future.
These fabricated objects—made from titanium, vitreous enamel, bronze, steel, and precious metals —combine modern techniques like machining and TIG welding with traditional metalsmithing. Complex forms, unnecessary function, and high craftsmanship play into narrative and the unknown.
The body of work I'm striving to create and understand is my “Royal Dystopian Tableware” series. Being a child of the ‘80s cold war era, having what I consider a “post-nuclear dysfunctional” family, joining the Marine Corps because it seemed like a way to give myself discipline… Perhaps it’s not a surprise I have always had a world in my head that is fairly apocalyptic. My creative output moved from writing to metalwork, yet the narrative aspects remain. Questions of humanity’s existence - its growth and follies, the immense timeline before and after us, personal safety, and the inherent weirdness and ridiculosity of us - humanity - within this immense universe.
BIOGRAPHY
Born in 1972 in Ohio, Matthew grew up primarily in the plains of Colorado. After serving in the Marines, he studied engineering and fine art at Colorado State University. He left early to fully pursue art and fine craft, becoming primarily self-taught.
In 2001 creation of the work became full time, showing jewelry and metalwork at high end arts/crafts festivals and galleries around the country. Seeing a great amount of the country, moving to many places around the country, has been a constant inspiration and a source of questions.
After more than twenty five years of doing this, the work is now shifting to pieces that are more functional and/or narrative. Tabletop and niche sized works that feel monumental, that show an unknown story. Pieces that invite questions, perhaps in daily use, or just looking at you from across the room.
Currently living in Pittsburgh, PA, the only city he’s moved to twice.
EDUCATION
1999 Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore MD
1995 - 1997 Colorado State University Fort Collins CO (Mechanical Engineering, Fine Art)
SELECTED AWARDS
2026 Gasparilla Festival of Arts, Merit Award2023 Morning Glory Arts Festival - Merit Award
2023 Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh - best in show
2022 Gasparilla Festival of Arts, Juror’s Choice
2021 Philadelphia Museum Craft Show - best in Metal
2017 TRAF, Pittsburgh PA - Best in Sho
2017 A Fair in the Park (Craftman’s Guild of Pittsburgh) - Best in Show
2017 Northern Virginia Fine Art, Reston Va - award of excellence
2016 TRAF, Pittsburgh PA - Juror’s Choice
2015 TRAF, Pittsburgh PA - Juror’s Award
2014 Gasparilla, Tampa FL - Award of Excellence
2013 Riverwalk, Memphis TN - Best in Jewelry
2012 Plaza Art Fair, Kansas City MO Award of Excellence
2011 Plaza Art Fair, Kansas City MO Award of Excellence
2011 Ann Arbor Original Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI - Best Metalsmithing
2010 Broad Ripple, Indianapolis, IN 2nd overall
2010 Kentuck Festival of the Arts, Kentuck AL Award of Excellence
2010 St James Court, Louisville KY - Award of Excellence
2009 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, State College, PA Jewelry Design Award
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2022 Dubuque Museum of Art Craft Invitational
2018 Morgan Glass Gallery
2017 Morgan Glass Gallery
2016 Spectrum Miami, Steidel Fine Art
2016 Morgan Glass Gallery
2015 Morgan Glass Gallery
2013 J Go Gallery, Park City UT “Wonderbox”
2013 AQUA Miami (with J Go Gallery)
2010 Xanadu Gallery, Phoenix AZ “Machinations, Machines and Motion”
GALLERIES
Boxheart Gallery Pittsburgh PA 2018-2021
Wax Pittsburgh PA 2010-2019
Metallo Gallery Madrid NM 2008-2012
J Go Gallery, Park City UT 2012 - 2013
American Folk Asheville NC 2005-2007
CURATORIAL
2012 Juror, Plaza Art Festival, Kansas City MO
KNOWN COLLECTIONS
Kamm Teapot Foundation
Kentuck Art Center
INTERESTING COMMISSIONS
Disney’s California Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy
I create artifacts, the objects that will be the strange, unexplained relics found in the future.
These fabricated objects—made from titanium, vitreous enamel, bronze, steel, and precious metals —combine modern techniques like machining and TIG welding with traditional metalsmithing. Complex forms, unnecessary function, and high craftsmanship play into narrative and the unknown.
The body of work I'm striving to create and understand is my “Royal Dystopian Tableware” series. Being a child of the ‘80s cold war era, having what I consider a “post-nuclear dysfunctional” family, joining the Marine Corps because it seemed like a way to give myself discipline… Perhaps it’s not a surprise I have always had a world in my head that is fairly apocalyptic. My creative output moved from writing to metalwork, yet the narrative aspects remain. Questions of humanity’s existence - its growth and follies, the immense timeline before and after us, personal safety, and the inherent weirdness and ridiculosity of us - humanity - within this immense universe.
BIOGRAPHY
Born in 1972 in Ohio, Matthew grew up primarily in the plains of Colorado. After serving in the Marines, he studied engineering and fine art at Colorado State University. He left early to fully pursue art and fine craft, becoming primarily self-taught.
In 2001 creation of the work became full time, showing jewelry and metalwork at high end arts/crafts festivals and galleries around the country. Seeing a great amount of the country, moving to many places around the country, has been a constant inspiration and a source of questions.
After more than twenty five years of doing this, the work is now shifting to pieces that are more functional and/or narrative. Tabletop and niche sized works that feel monumental, that show an unknown story. Pieces that invite questions, perhaps in daily use, or just looking at you from across the room.
Currently living in Pittsburgh, PA, the only city he’s moved to twice.
EDUCATION
1999 Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore MD
1995 - 1997 Colorado State University Fort Collins CO (Mechanical Engineering, Fine Art)
SELECTED AWARDS
2026 Gasparilla Festival of Arts, Merit Award2023 Morning Glory Arts Festival - Merit Award
2023 Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh - best in show
2022 Gasparilla Festival of Arts, Juror’s Choice
2021 Philadelphia Museum Craft Show - best in Metal
2017 TRAF, Pittsburgh PA - Best in Sho
2017 A Fair in the Park (Craftman’s Guild of Pittsburgh) - Best in Show
2017 Northern Virginia Fine Art, Reston Va - award of excellence
2016 TRAF, Pittsburgh PA - Juror’s Choice
2015 TRAF, Pittsburgh PA - Juror’s Award
2014 Gasparilla, Tampa FL - Award of Excellence
2013 Riverwalk, Memphis TN - Best in Jewelry
2012 Plaza Art Fair, Kansas City MO Award of Excellence
2011 Plaza Art Fair, Kansas City MO Award of Excellence
2011 Ann Arbor Original Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI - Best Metalsmithing
2010 Broad Ripple, Indianapolis, IN 2nd overall
2010 Kentuck Festival of the Arts, Kentuck AL Award of Excellence
2010 St James Court, Louisville KY - Award of Excellence
2009 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, State College, PA Jewelry Design Award
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2022 Dubuque Museum of Art Craft Invitational
2018 Morgan Glass Gallery
2017 Morgan Glass Gallery
2016 Spectrum Miami, Steidel Fine Art
2016 Morgan Glass Gallery
2015 Morgan Glass Gallery
2013 J Go Gallery, Park City UT “Wonderbox”
2013 AQUA Miami (with J Go Gallery)
2010 Xanadu Gallery, Phoenix AZ “Machinations, Machines and Motion”
GALLERIES
Boxheart Gallery Pittsburgh PA 2018-2021
Wax Pittsburgh PA 2010-2019
Metallo Gallery Madrid NM 2008-2012
J Go Gallery, Park City UT 2012 - 2013
American Folk Asheville NC 2005-2007
CURATORIAL
2012 Juror, Plaza Art Festival, Kansas City MO
KNOWN COLLECTIONS
Kamm Teapot Foundation
Kentuck Art Center
INTERESTING COMMISSIONS
Disney’s California Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy