Matthew Priest

My work examines the interplay between man and machine using a drill as a prosthetic instrument to produce, analyze and master a new way of making paintings. Brushes become drill heads, equipping me as I strive to test the physical parameters of paint, using the motions of the drill alongside the guidance of my arm and body to move huge sums of paint across sheet aluminum. I then reveal mirrored forms from the aluminum that cut through my paintings, leaving lines and shapes beneath the body of paint. The mirror soaks up the images in the painting and reflects vague shapes diffused in light.

"Cyberspace... Unthinkable complexity. Lines of light ranged in the nonspace of the mind, clusters and constellations. Like city light, receding..." William Gibson

My work is made up of dialogue and confrontation between two or more factors, for example: myself and the drill, and the paint and the surface. Therefore I have started to invite more content and references into the work using mirrors, lines, symbols and linguistics. Line and paint fight for prestige and attention in an arena of phenomena and movement.

Through my research I have raised ideas and concepts on the subjects of cyborgism and post-humanity, relating organic and me...

Wimbledon College of Art, Wimbledon, GB, Fine Art Painting,