Matt Reid: Still Life

posted by Robyn Pitts March 5, 2021

Bradford based artist and printmaker Matt Reid’s work is a combination of hand drawn illustrations, collage, and digital manipulation, creating surreal and abstract results with a dark and ominous overtone.

Matt attended Leeds College of Art and Design back in 1998 where he studied Graphic Design. When the course ended, he jumped straight into the industry; “I arrogantly thought they would jump at the chance to employ fresh blood; boy, was I wrong”. He started at the bottom, working on the production shop floor of a local Flexo printing firm helping mix inks, setting presses up for print, and packaging up orders. Years later, he got a job as a Junior Designer, which naturally progressed into print management. He has now worked in print production for nearly 15 years, and is currently the Studio Production Manager at a Leeds-based design agency.Matt’s latest print, Still Life, aesthetically could be seen as a departure from his normal style. It is inspired by his mother, who unfortunately passed away last year from cancer, and who has always been a constant inspiration to him. “We’re still grieving but I have found solace in putting ink to paper as it provides some space for me to reflect on everything” says Matt. He had been thinking of ways in which he could give back something to the wonderful staff at the Prince of Wales Hospice who took such good care of his mother, and remembered all of the beautiful donated pieces of art that feature throughout their walls, from friends and family, and of loved ones lost. Thus, 100% of profits from the sale of Still Life are being donated to the hospice. “This print reflects not only my mothers passing, but also the aesthetic of the things she valued and surrounded herself with in life. It feels like a fitting tribute to her and to the wonderful staff there.”

Still Life is also inspired by friends of Matt that run a small online business called the Appreciation Project, who specialise in dried flowers; “They create beautiful arrangements, all very stylised and contemporary and I know my mother would have loved them”.

When creating the piece, Matt started with sketching out his own flower arrangement, balancing all of the elements before experimenting with textures and the application of ink, chalk, and charcoal to achieve the different characteristics of each flower. He describes; “I’m not too concerned about accuracy of the execution or perspective as such, so I tried not to beat myself up too much about it not being perfect – something I’ve struggled with in the past”. All of the elements were scanned in separately, cleaned up, and then digitally collaged together; “It’s certainly a departure from my previous collage work but it’s quite refreshing to do something completely different too, so I’m learning a lot”.

Still Life, stylistically, was a natural progression for his work, as he was slowly starting to move more towards monochromatic print as he had already begun to strip colours out of all of his old prints. He says; “There’s something very challenging about monochrome in general and I like the limitations it forces on the creative process. You have to work with what you’ve got, which can be difficult when trying to create depth and detail”.

When asked how he would define his style, Matt commented; “I’m not sure I have one yet. It feels like it’s the beginning of something new and I’m still finding my feet”. He is enjoying working with his hands for a change, and spending some time away from the computer with his hands on a mouse. Matt is already working on his next arrangement, and plans to continue the still life series incorporating other objects. With a “unhealthy fascination” with horror and sci-fi too, we can’t wait to see what elements he goes on to develop within the project. Matt concludes; “I’m just happy to have found a spark in creativity again and hopefully it’ll continue”.

Still Life is giclée print on off-white, 315gsm German Cotton Rag paper and is available in both A3 and A2. Each print will be hand signed, stamped and numbered and 100% of profits will be donated to the Prince of Wales Hospice.