Matt Small

View all images

Art Star No.2. YOUNG STAR TIMMS, 2010. Denim jeans, household emulsion and spray paint on denim.

Conveying the toughness and loneliness of the city, London-based artist Matt Small films unknowing strangers in the urban landscape, then turns his documentation into oil portraits on salvaged metal and found objects. The result is a detached but intricate portrayal of his subjects, displaying a masterful technique that blurs the line between traditional and abstract. Because his work does not require a staged sitting, it displays none of the self-consciousness of traditional portraiture.

Questions & Answers

" What kind of art do you make?"

I make art that is inspired by where I live, in Camden, north London. I want to paint a portrait of the city, the people, the buildings they live in; I want to represent this world using materials I find in the urban environment; scrap metal, concrete and other debris. Check my website for more guff (www.matt-small.com).

" Where can I see it?"

There are two galleries that show my work, both in London: Blackrat Press (www.blackratpress.co.uk) and Sesame Gallery (www.sesameart.com).

" How do you feel about Polo Jeans Co.'s ART STARS project?"

It's groovy to do something out of the ordinary once in a while.

" Describe your finished ART STAR in a sentence?"

Ripped denim boy.

" What did you think when it first arrived at your studio?"

It arrived at 6am and I was way too tired to think at all. Then I thought ‘yea!!! I can get involved with this’.

"You were asked to use the Stars and Stripes for inspiration. How did you incorporate it into your star?"

I used red and blue ripped denim to create the portrait on the star.

" What else inspired you?"

The memories of my gigantically tall, vertically unchallenged American uncle, Clifford, and any given episode of Hill Street Blues.

" How did you find working with denim?"

I found it fashionable.

" What processes did you use to create your piece?"

Ripping, sandpapering, paint and splatting and bang(ing nails).

" What are you most proud of about the result?"

The little constellation of nails on the left side.

" Describe your denim style;"

Over the top – as far from casual as possible.

" Who else's star are you most looking forward to seeing and why?"

James Jessop and Pedros Matos.

Profile

  • Name: Matt Small
  • Location: London, United Kingdom
View website

Latest Video

Matt Small

Exhibitions

Location: HARRODS, LONDON, UK

Dates: March 07th – April 23rd

View exhibition

Location: SUN BELL STORE, TOULOUSE, France

Dates: April 28th – May 28th

View exhibition

Polo Jeans Co. Ralph Lauren Art Stars

Polo Jeans Co. Ralph Lauren Art Stars

In January 2010, Polo Jeans Co. Ralph Lauren commissioned over 40 of Europe’s most exciting young contemporary artists to customise stars made from the finest American denim.

With the iconic Stars and Stripes flag for inspiration, each young artist was tasked with creating something totally unique: beyond the shapes and sizes of the Art Stars, the only limit was their imaginations...

Each Art Star will appear in a Polo Jeans Co. store, before joining a public exhibition in London in late 2010.

Contemporary art and fashion aficionados will have the opportunity to own one of these exclusive Art Stars.

All the stars created will be brought together in a public exhibition in London in late 2010 and auctioned in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust.

Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of young people with cancer between the ages of 13-24.

Teenagers don’t stop being teenagers because they have cancer, which is why Teenage Cancer Trust builds specialist units in NHS hospitals, staffed by teenage cancer specialists.

These units are designed for and by young people and aim to give teenage cancer patients the very best chance of a positive outcome whilst being as close as possible to normal life.

State-of-the-art facilities keep patients occupied during long, and often grueling stays, whilst bringing teenagers with cancer together so they can support each other.

Visit www.teenagecancertrust.org to find out more.

Email Sign Up

I want to receive: