Matthew Ricci

‘The final act of Love’ began with autonomous drawing on the blank canvas after clearing my mind of any biases. These ‘random forms’ were then highlighted using layers of thing oil paint. These layers are applied in quick succession from a pre-determined pallet, allowing for emotional to dictate the choice of colour. Between each layer, chaotic mark making using coloured soft pastels are applied for texture and more subconscious reference points. Then, traditional figurative elements are highlighted. Finally, through adding a thicker oil paint in the background, the form is added via subtraction to reveal the final composition. Love is never settled, is never stable. Always in turmoil, and always worth it.

Ultra contemporary painter Matthew Ricci (b. 1998, South Australia) emerges from a background of mathematical science. However, concerned with the visual depiction of the subconscious and the human condition, chooses to explore abstract figurative painting. It is this tension Matthew captures on the canvas through automatic drawing and expressionist painting techniques, as well as symbolism taken from his early memories of religion and sexuality.