Born Traralgon, Victoria, 1975

The landscape that inspired Mathew Simmons to paint is that of northern Victoria. His formative years were spent in Bendigo. As a young man he set about drawing as often as he could in the surrounding landscape.

Two elements have formed the essential character of his landscape painting – the first derives from the quality of his vision, the second from the successful liaison between his aesthetic sensibilities and his technical skill. Simmons strips away the outer veils of appearance and brings us closer to the essential spirit of the landscape.

He believes the journey of his landscape painting has just begun, saying “there are many forests and plains that I am yet to discover – the few that I have painted already, are filled with ambiguous spaces for an audience to plant their own understandings and interpretations. They are filled with skyway-highways of trees, clouds and shadows and the earth houses trees upon trees. My paintings are my voice for an Australian Landscape.

\\\"I want people to look at my work and expect a journey. To find a space to lounge in, and be comfortable enough to then explore the piece... to take a journey\\\"

Education


1994-1995 Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE – Art and Design
1995-1997 La Trobe University (Bendigo) – Bachelor of Fine Arts

Solo Exhibitions

2008 Shadow Light, Artistry Galleries, VIC
2006 Australian Embassy, Washington DC, USA
2005 \\\"Perspective\\\", Artistry Galleries, Malvern VIC
2004 ‘Walking with Trees’, Artistry Galleries, Malvern, VIC
2004 ‘Whispering Wilderness’, Artistry Galleries, Malvern, VIC
2003 ‘Exploratory Exhibition’, Artistry Galleries, Malvern, VIC

Group Exhibitions

2006 Artistry Galleries, Malvern, VIC
2005 Annex A, Armadale, VIC
2005 Artistry Galleries, Malvern, VIC
2004 Artistry Galleries, Malvern, VIC
2003 Artistry Galleries, Malvern, VIC
2000 Capricorn Coast Art Festival, Yappoon, QLD
1999 ‘Works on Paper’ Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo, VIC
1998 ‘Works on Paper’ Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo, VIC
1997 ‘Works on Paper’ Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo, VIC
1997 ‘End of Year Folio Exhibition’ La Trobe Phyllis Palmer Gallery,Bendigo, VIC

Commissioned Works

1994 Tram/Mural Design, Central Deborah Goldmines, Bendigo, VIC
1996 Mural, Bendigo Nursing Recruitment Centre, Killians Walk, Bendigo, VIC
1999 ‘Sorrento Lodge’ Sorrento Lodge, Sorrento, VIC


Collections

Dr Joseph Brown Collection.
Private Collection’s Australia wide and Internationally.