VANCOUVER, Wash. — WSU Vancouver unveiled the figurative and abstract works of Portland artist Matthew Cox on Friday (June 6), in the campus’ Engineering and Life Science Building art gallery.
In creating his paintings, Cox says he draws upon his strengths as a draftsman while staying true to the artistic mindset of creating painterly works. His minimal use of line adds to the overall strength of his compositions, which jump with vibrant color and expressive imagery. Cox describes his most recent body of work as “experimenting with a new way of seeing,” which, according to the self-taught artist, is a process that involves less painting time and more ‘seeing’ time.
“The more time I spend stepping away from the easel and examining objects from new and different angles, the more resonance I have with the work and more spontaneous energy is captured in the finished piece,” he said. “It’s very important to me to balance the joy of the process and the end result in my painting.”
The public is invited to meet the artist and discuss his work at an opening reception to be held Thursday, June 19, at 5:30 p.m. There is no charge to view the exhibit, which runs through Aug. 1 in the ELS gallery.
Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue. For more information, please call (360) 546-9600.
