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Artist in Residence: Matt Kenyon


Yarmouth Port artist Matt Kenyon is in touch with the past. Literally. His hands recreate the shapes and shadows of artistic works created in the past - providing us with a new way of seeing them and giving us a better understanding of their makers. He also explores modern shapes and imagery and finds much in common between the works of artists and artisans of today and those who lived long ago.		Four Plates from Cashel
A graduate of Dennis-Yarmouth High School and the University of Massachusetts, Matt holds a both a BA in German and a BFA in Visual Design.

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"I'm curious about who did the work," says Matt. "What were they thinking about as they did it? Why did they make particular aesthetic decisions?" By reinterpreting ancient designs in both ceramic and print media, Matt finds himself covering much of the same ground that the original creators of the designs must have covered. He interacts with their designs and gains and stronger understanding of their aesthetic decision-making process. The artists come alive for Matt, and he feels a strong link to the original designers.

"Many of these artists lived and worked in obscurity," Matt points out. "They did the work as a way of making a living, but they still had a strong artistic sense and creating designs we can and do still admire today."

Medieval stone carving is of particular interest to Matt and he has traveled widely in Europe in pursuit of his subject matter. Throughout his travels, he finds designs that tantalize his artistic sense, from the frieze on an ancient temple to carvings in a cathedral apse. He has captured those sometimes obscure designs and finds them powerfully contemporary or, more accurately, timeless in their expression. Through them he feels a stronger link to other artists who have gone before and, through our enjoyment of his works, hopes to provide that understanding to us as well.

Matt can be reached at mattykendog@hotmail.com

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