Studio Views: Matt Brackett

Among the ideas Matt Brackett explores in his paintings is “the seductive suggestion of the unknown couched in familiarity.” In a previous post on ArtSake, the artist explained the power of this tension: “Suggesting wonder or menace within the confines of a naturalistically-delivered image, I try to generate a potential narrative like a machine stores potential energy.”

Recently, he created a new body of work, titled All the Gifts. Work from this series is on exhibit at Alpha Gallery in Boston this month, opening October 7, 2016.

Where his prior body of work explored mysterious narratives in the natural world, his current work features human figures. The artist explains: “The paintings have emerged from a period following an encounter with serious illness, and explore fatherhood, gratitude and hope. I believe I’ve been able to approach images in ways that haven’t been accessible to me in the past.”

One of the paintings from the Alpha Gallery exhibition, Moonstone (seen in the photo above), was one of 35 works out of over 2,400 applicants to receive a Certificate of Excellence in the Portrait Society of America’s International Portrait Competition last spring.

Matt Brackett‘s solo show at Alpha Gallery exhibits Oct 7-Nov 2, opening reception Friday, October 7, 2016, 6-8 PM.

Images: all images courtesy of the artist and Alpha Gallery, including (third image from top) Matt Brackett, TREASURED VESSEL (2016), oil on linen on panel, 18×24 in; (sixth from top) MOONSTONE (2015), oil on linen on aluminum panel, 46×34.5 in; (seventh from top) ATLAS (2016), oil on aluminum panel, 40×48 in; (eighth from top) ALL THE GIFTS (2016), oil on aluminum panel, 40×30 in.