Born 1963 London, UK
1982-84 National Art School, East Sydney, Higher Art Certificate
Abstract paintings are full of the deepest meanings, and much can be extracted from the works of prominent Melbourne based abstractionist, Matthew Johnson. His emotionally inspired, creative processes are the frameworks for his striking canvasses that are dominated by line and circle.
Johnson’s large-scale oil pieces continue his investigation of space, light, speed and tactility. These kaleidoscopic canvases with dissipating circles and bands of blurred colour, secure and link in a greater all-over project.
While his works reinform notions of space and light, they frequently pose a number of metaphysical questions about nature, perception and existence. Through the use of form he explores the complexities of the natural world and delivers his observations in terms of subtleties of light apprehended and registered.
"Everything we see is conditioned by light and everything we see is transformed by light."
Johnson’s interpretations of the natural landscape radiate freshness and presence through his use of complimentary and contrasting colours. He uses the iridescent pigment, iriodin, which is made from sand, to imbue the canvas with an effervescent glow.
Johnson’s technical clarity and emotional intensity confirm his standing as a truly professional artist. He has held successful exhibitions throughout Australia, and is represented in corporate and private collections throughout Australia, Cologne, Munich, New York, Madrid, Seoul and Canada.
AIS Insurance Collection
Allen, Allen & Hemsley, Sydney
Artbank, Sydney
Australian Wheat Board, Melbourne
BHP Collection, Melbourne
Bundaberg Arts Centre, Queensland
Campbelltown City Art Gallery, NSW
Deloitte Ross Tohmatsu
Gandel Group, Chadstone, Melbourne
Faber Castell Collection, Sydney
Freehill, Hollingdale & Page, Melbourne
Heide Museum of Modern Art, Victoria
Holmes à Court Collection, Perth
Hyatt Hotel, Perth
KPMG, Sydney
La Trobe University Museum of Art
Macquarie Bank
Mallesons Stephen Jacques, Melbourne
Monash University Museum of Art
Moorilla Museum & Art Gallery, Tasmania
News Corporation
RACV
State Bank, Victoria
Victor and Loti Smorgon Collection, Melbourne
Visy Industrial Packaging, Melbourne
Corporate collections throughout Australia and private collections in Australia, Cologne, Munich, New York, Madrid, Seoul and Vancouver, Canada.
Australian Art Collector, Issue 53, July-Sept 2010
Ingrid Perez Matthew Johnsons Circles of Light, Australian Art Collector, Issue 34 Oct Dec 2005
Ashley Crawford Matthew Johnson: Peregrination, The Age Review, Saturday Oct 16, 2005
Martin Shub Art Right Now, Exhibition News, www.gallery.discoverymedia.com.au
Annabel Dean Swatch this Space, SMH July 21, 2005
Peter King Catalogue Essay, Greenhill Galleries, 2005
Betsy Brennan Vogue Living Apartments, 2004
Ashley Crawford Catalogue Essay, Christine Abrahams Gallery, 2003
Karen Hall Catalogue Essay, Depth of Field, Shepparton Art Gallery, 2003
Geraldine O’Brien News and Features (Yellow House Project), Sydney Morning Herald, 22 March 2003
Robert Nelson Photography and Painting in Cahoots, The Age, Jan 25 2003
Sandra McLean Take Your Sunnies. Article, The Courier Mail, Oct. 2002
Zara Stanhope Catalogue Essay, Good Vibrations, Heide Museum of Art, 2002
Harry Kampianne A lA Decouverte del’Art Australien, Arts Actual, 2000
John Peter Brakewood Review, Art Actual, 1998
Neville Western Review, West Australian, June 2002
Michael Eather Lines II, Catalogue essay, 2002
Carol Marando Amateurs Dominate Drawing Prize, Review Faber Castell Prize, Eastern Herald, 1/9/88
Elwyn Lynn Review of Faber Castell Prize, Weekend Australian, 3/9/88
Ronald Millar Review of solo exhibition at Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne Herald, 5/7/89
Australian Elle Young at Art, May 1990
Sandra Murray Over East, Catalogue, Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, Perth 1991
Betsy Brennan Vogue Living, April 1992
Judy Annear Moet & Chandon Touring Catalogue,1993
Felicity Fenner Looking for Life Support, Sydney Morning Herald, July 1994
Felicity Fenner Review of Moet & Chandon, Sydney Morning Herald Sept 1993
Davina Jackson Future City, Art & Architecture, Exhibition Catalogue 1992
Bruce James Review of Australian Perspecta, The Australian 9 Oct 1993
John Kavanagh Youthful Vigour in Perspecta, Business Review Weekly 22/10/93
Natalie King Australian Perspecta '93, Exhibition Catalogue, AGNSW
Victoria Lynn Australian Perspecta 93, Exhibition Catalogue, AGNSW
Ewen McDonald Contemporary Aust’n Painting: Works from Allen, Allen & Hemsley Collection, 1993
Paul McGillick An Elegant Perspecta, Australian Financial Review, 22 Oct 1993
John Neylon The Discreet Charm of the Moet Award, Art & Australia, Vol1, No31 Spring 1993
Nicholas Baume Room 32, Art & Text 1995
Rita Carlos Replacing Australian Painting, Planet Magazine, Jan95
Elwyn Lynn Review of Moet & Chandon Prize, The Australian, 24/2/95
John McDonald Review of Moet & Chandon Prize, SMH, 15 Feb 1995
Paul McGillick Review of Moet & Chandon Prize, Financial Review, 26 Feb 1995
Harford, Sonia Matthew Johnson, The Age, 25 April, 1995
John McDonald Review of "One of Many" S.M.H., May 1996
Bernard McAll Catalogue essay for Christine Abrahams Gallery 1995
Sabastian Smee Review of exhibition at Olsen Carr, S.M.H. 1999
Simeon Kronenberg Catalogue essay for Christine Abrahams Gallery, March 2001
Andrew Frost Review of exhibition at Christine Abrahams Gallery, Australian Art Collector, March 2001
Terry Ingram Christies Contemporary Auction, Financial Review May 5 2001
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