Matt Phillips’ paintings create colorful complexes that act as vibrant odes to the ordinary. Phillips’ practice meditates on his comprehensive observance of classic aesthetics, including modernist abstraction, folk art and African textiles. Drawing notes from these traditions, his paintings meld low- and high-brow art, creating contemporary pastiches that are just as colloquial as they are clever.
Phillips paints with a pigment and silica blend with each brush stroke becoming dry instantaneously. Each painting begins as a mapped geometrical formation with his method of building composition pushing through routine constructs of painterly semantics and becoming playful with common structures. He uses notions of pattern, textile, and decorative to hint at referential codes that allow abstract to take on tangible, comfortable forms. As a result, each work switches from foreign to recognizable, inviting relatability.
Phillips earned his MFA in Painting at Boston University and BA in Art/Art History at Hampshire College. He is a founding member of the Tiger Strikes Asteroid Gallery in Brooklyn and has been an assistant professor of art at FIT, Mount Holyoke College and Hampshire College. Recent solo exhibitions include One River School in Englewood, NY, Studio d’Arte Raffaelli in Trento, Italy, Devening Projects in Chicago, Steven Harvey Fine Arts Projects in New York City and at the University of Maine Museum of Art. He had a residency at Yaddo Colony in Sratoga Springs, NY in 2017 and at the MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, NH in 2016. Phillips lives and works in Brooklyn.
Lives and works in Brooklyn, NY
EDUCATION
2007
MFA, Painting; Boston University; Boston, MA
2001
BA, Art/Art History; Hampshire College; Amherst, MA
2003
Landscape Painting Marathon; New York Studio School; New York, NY
2001
Drawing Marathon; New York Studio School; New York, NY
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021
Solo Exhibition, The Landing Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2017
Almost Back to Normal, One River School, Englewood, NJ
Piano, piano, Studio d’Arte Raffaelli, Trento, IT
2016
Deveaning Projects, Chicago, IL
Comfort Inn; Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects; New York, NY
2014
Staring At The Sun With A Penny In My Pocket; University of Maine Museum of Art; Bangor, ME
2013
Matt Phillips: Small Paintings; Kate Alkarni Gallery; Seattle, WA
Both, And: Recent Paintings by Matt Phillips, curated by John Stomberg; Branch Gallery; North Adams, MA
this, and then; Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects; New York, NY
2009
Out Through The In Door; Cerasoli Gallery; Los Angeles, CA
2008
The Sun Machine is Coming Down; Redux Contemporary Art Center; Charleston, SC
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021
Surfaces, Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2018
Arte Fiera, Bologna, Italy (Studio d’Arte Raffaelli)
2018
Illustrative 17: The Biennale of Illustration and Graphic Art, Johanssen Gallery, Berlin, Germany
2017
Arte Verona, Verona, Italy (Studio d’Arte Raffaelli)
Points of Entry - Scotty Enterprises, Berlin, Germany
When Y was Thus Released: Kyle Breitenbach, Matthew Fisher, Michele Hemsoth, & Matt Phillips, Ampersand Gallery, Portland, OR
Group Show, Werkartz, Los Angeles, CA
Say Yes, Wayne State University, Detroit MI (Curated by Kimia Ferdowsi Kline)
20 x 16, Morgan Lehman, NY, NY (Curated by Geoffery Young)
Drawings: Maria Calandra, Clare Grill, Matt Phillips, & Mason Saltarrelli, The Wythe Hotel, Brooklyn, NY
Art Herning, Herning, Denmark (With Charlotte Fogh Gallery)
Salami Salon, 83 Meserole, Brooklyn, NY (Curated by Robert Otto Epstein)
2016
Chronic Bloom; Geoffery Young Gallery; Great Barrington, MA (upcoming)
Summerzcool, curated by Austin Eddy and Benjamin Edmiston; David Shelton Gallery; Houston, TX
Hungry For Color (Austin Eddy, Benjamin Edminston, & Matt Phillips); Charlotte Fogh Gallery; Aarhus, DE
Super Sketchy (Curated by Alleyoop Projects); DCTV; New York, NY
Rational Curves: Joy Curtis, Ryan DaWalt, & Matt Phillips, curated by Robert Epstein; Matteawan Gallery; Beacon, NY
You, Yes, You, curated by Meghan Brady; Able Baker Contemporary; Portland, ME
Only Lovers; Le Coeur; Paris, FR
2015
I Can’t Wait to Get Off Work, curated by Austin Eddy; Bannerette; Brooklyn, NY
Small Works; Perimeter Gallery; Belfast, ME
Printer’s Proof : 30 Years at Wingate Studio; Boston University Stone Gallery; Boston, MA
Market Art + Design Fair; Bridgehampton, NY (with Steven Harvey Projects)
Let’s Go Away For Awhile, curated by Erik den Breejen and Maria Louisa Calandra; One Mile Gallery; Kingston, NY
Living Threads; New York Studio School; New York, NY
Alumni Exhibit; Hampshire College Gallery; Amherst, MA
B Sides, curated by Steven Gavino; Third Ward Gallery; Brooklyn, NY
Baltimore Contemporary Print Fair; Baltimore Museum of Art; Baltimore, MD
JustMad Art Fair; Madrid, ES
2014
Miami Project Art Fair; Miami, FL (with Steven Harvey Projects)
Clouds are Our Mountains, curated by Austin Thomas and Steven Harvey; The Jade; Miami, FL
Back to the Future;Life on Mars; Brooklyn, NY
EAB Fair; Wingate Studio; New York, NY
Diamonds and Doughnuts; Geoffery Young Gallery; Great Barrington, MA
To Tiger With Love; Tiger Strikes Asteroid; Philadelphia, PA
The Jam 3.0 (Group Exhibit with Site-Specific Mural created and executed with Andrea Bergart); Steven Harvey Projects; New York, NY
The Jam 2 (Group Exhibit with Site-Specific Mural created and executed with Andrea Bergart), curated by Joan Backes; New Bedford Art Museum; New Bedford, MA
Second Sight (Sean Green, Matt Phillips, and Russell Tyler); Catalogue essay by Geoffrey Young; Brian Morris Gallery; New York, NY
Mix Tape, curated by Sophia Alexandrov and Todd Bienvenu Third Ward Gallery; Brooklyn, NY
2013
Flat Files: Year One; TSA New York; Brooklyn, NY
Half Life; Andrew Prayzner Apartment Show; Brooklyn, NY
Love at Home 2; Production Network; Seattle, WA
Come Together: Surviving Sandy, Year 1; Industry City; Brooklyn, NY
Above the Surface, Below the Surface: Prints by Wingate Studios; Washington Art Association; Washington Depot,
Summer Group Show; Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects; New York, NY
Benefit; Novella Gallery; New York, NY
Love at Home; Kate Alkarni Gallery; Seattle, WA
Dooroomwindow; Pulse Fair; NYC with Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects
Artware Editions, New York, NY
Artist Series Project with Woodpoint and Kingsland
Correspondence I; Tiger Strikes Asteroid; Philadelphia, PA
Folk Appeal, curated by Sean Gallery; Mingo Gallery; Beverly, MA
Editions Artists’ Books Fair, New York, NY (With Wingate Studio)
2012
Fresh Prints; Feinberg Projects; Tel Aviv, IL
Against the Grain, curated by Amir Fallah; Benefit Show; Mark Moore Gallery; Los Angeles, CA
The Jam; Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects; New York; NY
The Irreconcilable (with Jennifer Abessira, Avner Ben Gal, Matt Phillips, Tal R, Jonas Wood, and Guy Yanai); The Spaceship at Ha Yarkon 70; Tel Aviv, IL
Meta-Decorative; Scope Art Fair; New York, NY (with Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects)
Faculty Show; Mt. Holyoke College Museum; South Hadley, MA
2011
Freestyle;680 Woodward; Brooklyn, NY
Collage, curated by Klaus Postler; Hampden Gallery; University of Massachusetts; Amherst, MA
Printmaking!; Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences; Long Beach, NJ
Mix and Match; Atelier 030202; Bucharest, RO
Printmaking!,curated by Sarah Suzuki and Emi Eu; The Print Center; Philadelphia, PA
Get on the Block, curated by Lauren van Haaften-Schick; Camel Arts Space; Brooklyn, NY
Fist City: EJ Hauser, Logan Grider, Matt Phillips, and Nathlie Provosty; Fowler Arts Collective; Brooklyn, NY
Invitational Exhibit; Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center; Provincetown, MA
2010
Keep the Home Fires Burning; Fowler Arts Center; Brooklyn, NY
Pictured Thoughts, curated by Sean Greene; University of Massachusetts; Amherst, MA
Good to Pull; Eli Marsh Gallery; Amherst College; Amherst, MA
Block Party; Space Gallery; Portland, ME
40th Anniversary Alumni Exhibition; Hampshire College Art Gallery; Amherst, MA
Reunited; Denise Bibro Fine Art; New York, NY
2009
Printer’s Proof: Selections from the Wingate Studio Archive; Rhodes Art Center Gallery; Gill, MA
Faculty Show; Hampshire College Art Gallery; Amherst, MA
Meghan Brady, Andy Ness, & Matt Phillips: New Works on Paper; Ganser Gallery; Millersville University; Millersville, PA
Cadaver Corpse; Space 1026; Philadelphia, PA
Out of Sight; Wunderarts; Amherst, MA
1000 Days Scion; Installation LA; Los Angeles, CA
Cadaver Corpse; Golden Age; Chicago, IL
Old School; Jack the Pelican; Williamsburg, NY
Sound & Vision: Circuit, Tube, and Prism, curated by Gideon Bok; Space Gallery; Portland, ME
2008
Redux Benefit Auction; The Art Institute of Charleston; Charleston, SC
Gangbusters; Plane Space Gallery; New York, NY
Transit Antenna Big Tent Revival Auction; Redux Art Center; Charleston, SC
2007
Faculty Show; Hampshire College Art Gallery; Amherst, MA
Petra Projects Presents Matt Phillips and Eliza Stamps; Petra Projects at Mehr Gallery; New York, NY
Boston Young Contemporaries; Boston University; 808 Commonwealth Gallery; Boston, MA
Matt Phillips: Recent Paintings and Prints; Commonwealth Gallery; Boston, MA
2006
Boston Young Contemporaries; Boston University; 808 Commonwealth Gallery; Boston, MA
2005
Matt Phillips: New Paintings; Irregular Artbeat Gallery; Brooklyn, NY
AWARDS/RESIDENCIES
2016
MacDowell Colony Resident; Peterborough, NH
2012
The Drawing Center; Viewing Program; Artist Registry; New York, NY
2011
Artist in Residence; Denniston Hill; Woodridge, NY
85th Annual Printmaking Competition, curated by Sarah Suzuki and Emi Eu; The Renaissance Graphic Arts Award
2007
Kahn Career Entry Award Finalist (Boston University)
2005-2007
Constantin Alajalov Scholarship (Boston University)
2006
Hamill Prize for excellence in painting (Boston University)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2016
Professor of Art; FIT; NYC
Visiting Drawing Instructor (Drawing Marathon); New York Studio School; New York, NY
Visiting Critic; Mount Gretna School of Art; Mount Gretna, PA
2011-2015
Visiting Artist in Art and Art History; Mt. Holyoke College; South Hadley, MA
2007-2011
Visiting Assistant Professor of Art; Hampshire College; Amherst, MA
2009-2013
Visiting Artist: R.I.S.D; Providence, RI (Sophomore Sculpture)
2012
Visiting Artist: Marlboro College
2010-2011
Visiting Artist: Smith College
2011
Visiting Artist: Mt. Holyoke College
2010
Visiting Artist: Swarthmore College
Visiting Artist: Amherst College
2007-2010
Five College Drawing Faculty (Amherst, Hampshire, Mt. Holyoke, Smith & University of Massachusetts)
PUCLICATIONS, COLLABORATIONS, PUBLIC PROJECTS
2016
San Marco - Archival digital edition published by Exhibition A
2012
Ditzydos — A site-specific mural installed at Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects during the exhibition The Jam. Created and executed with Andrea Bergart.
Paper Monument’s “Draw It With Your Eyes Closed – Contributing writer to book of essays.
2011
Sheltering Sky – A site-specific mural on the interior of a swimming pool conceived and executed with Andy Ness at Denniston Hill Artist Residency
2010
Modular Mural — An installation and video produced with Meghan Brady at SPACE Gallery, Portland, ME.
Guitar — A suite of color etchings published by Wingate Studios.
Hampshire College Mural Project – A collaborative mural created with Hampshire College art students and artists Seth Gadsden and Seth Curcio.
2009
Woodblock Print — A collaborative woodblock print executed with Meghan Brady and Andy Ness on the occasion of the exhibit: Meghan Brady, Andy Ness, & Matt Phillips; New Works on Paper. Ganser Gallery, PA
1,000 Days — Exhibition Catalogue
2008
The Sun Machine is Coming Down — Exhibition Catalogue. (Essays by Seth Curcio & Dushko Petrovich)
New Exchange — A folio showcasing 20 artists curated by Meghan Brady and Louise Kohrman (edition of 20)
2007
The Kite Project — A collaborative print project with Josef Kristofoletti. An edition of 50 woodblock prints crafted into kites and flown over Cambridge, MA.
2006
December — A book of original poetry by Brandy Barents with seven intaglio etchings by Matt Phillips (open edition)
CURATORIAL PROJECTS
2012 - Present
Co-Founder of TSA New York. A Brooklyn cooperative gallery, performance, and exhibition space.
2016
Joe Ballweg; TSA; Brooklyn, NY
2015
Artist Run Miami- An international showcase of 40 artist run spaces in a repurposed hotel
Juror — Boston Young Contemporaries
TSA NY consultant to the Select Art Fair (NYC) - in addition to having a booth in the fair, TSA organized various lectures, panel discussion, and performances
Andy Ness, with Performances by Sandra Bernhard and Jacolby Satterwhite; TSA; Brooklyn, NY
2014
Sump Pumped Sentiments — a group exhibition featuring Todd Bienveneu, Gideon Bok, Shara Hughes, and Jason Mones; TSA; Brooklyn, NY
2013
Fowler Arts, Greenpoint Brooklyn
2006
Co-Founder Boston Young Contemporaries — A juried exhibition showcasing 12 New England Area MFA programs
PRESS/MEDIA
2016
Baras, Yevgeniya “Yevgeniya Baras with Matt Phillips” Paintingisdead.com
2014
Smith, Roberta “The Jam 3.0” New York Times
Editor’s Pick “Best Summer Group Show” The L Magazine
Laluyan, Oscar “Sight Un-Scene at Brian Morris Gallery” Artefuse.com
Yanai, Guy “Sump Pumped Sentiments: Curated by Matt Phillips @ TSA, NY” The Telavivian
Esplund, Lance “The Jam” Bloomberg
Samet, Jen “Matt Phillips: Beer with a Painter ” http://realartrealfood.blogspot.com/2012_07_01_archive.html
Maariv National Daily. Tel Aviv, Israel. “The Irreconcilable.”
Anaba.blogspot.com, “Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects at Scope.”
2011
Museum Nerd.wordpress.com, “The Best Art Exhibits of 2011.”
Wilson, Michael, “Upstate Downstate” Artforum.com
Donohoe, Victoria “Print Center’s Venerable Small Show is big on Sophistication”
Philadelphia Inquirer
Anghelescu, Victoria “Mix and Match, o lume construita din fragmente.” Cotidianul
Nathan, Emily “Brooklyn Local” Artnet.com
James Kalm Rough Cuts. “Fist City at Folwer Arts.”
Kalm, James “Brooklyn Dispatches” The Brooklyn Rail
Meier, Allison “Wandering Through Bushwick Open Studios” Hyperallergic.com
2010
Dodge, Matt “Block Party (steam) Rolls into Town” The Portland Daily Sun
Keyes, Bob “New Kids on the Block” The Portland Press Herald
Gray, Christopher “Block Party Consumes the Arts District”
The Portland Phoenix
2009
Breor, Melissa, “Driven to Abstraction.” Daily Hampshire Gazette
Campoy-Leffler, Nicole “Color Blocking is the New Black” Fine Arts LA
Juxtapoz “Behind the Scenes at Scion Space : 1,000 Days”
2008
Curcio, Seth “The Sun Machine is Coming Down” Dailyserving.com
Smith, Nick “The Pursuit of Business” Charleston City Paper
Hawkins, Ken “The Sun Machine: Experience a contemporary exhibit where two young artists aren’t afraid of painting outside of the lines” Charleston Magazine
Pool, Olivia, “Here Comes the Sun” Charleston Post Courier
2007
Curcio, Seth “Daily Serving Interview with Matt Phillips” dailyserving.com
