Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew McCarthy. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Matthew McCarthy is a Jamaica-based illustrator, mural painter and digital artist who has spent the last ten years finding a way to combine his obsession with Jamaican street signs, old school dancehall illustrations and global street art movements into a style and overall message influenced by local and global happenings. Born January 9th, 1992, McCarthy started his career as an artist while attending the Wolmer’s Boys’ School Of Jamaica. It was here that his love for art started creating large-scale pieces for school plays and events, becoming the go too person on campus for last-minute design solutions and fabrications. He later attended the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts. Where he received a hon. Bachelors of Fine Arts and The Advertising Association of Jamaica medal for best visual communication student in 2013.
Fueled by his enormous need to formulate satire around interesting topics, McCarthy invaded the streets of Kingston with his New Jamaica project in 2013 which acted as a major catalyst in the growth of Jamaican street art and went on to play a major role in curating a city-wide mural project called Paint Jamaica, which to date has produced that largest grouping of local Jamaican artists and street art murals. Matthew’s recent work has seen him tackling the idea of how to shift the perceptions of his fellow countrymen on matters of public art, social responsibilities of artists and the need for sustainable creative community-based projects. His projects have shed light on how effective public art can be in aiding the process of community rehabilitation.
In recent years, his practice has evolved to include a range of media that engage and reference the rich musical history of Jamaica. He has exhibited globally and aims to continue the rich legacy of the powerful Jamaican storytellers and artists that came before him. In 2019, he was awarded The Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Excellence for his contributions to nation-building and creative achievements please see my list of recent exhibitions here – https://eyedealistja.com/see-me-here.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I haven’t faced many challenges so far. My experience as an artist is determined by my will and outlook. I have had uncomfortable moments due to the fact that I tend to move on rather quickly from project to project. Learning to adjust has oftentimes been a struggle when not working on one thing consistently. I wouldn’t have it any other way. My aim is to be a creative force in the world. Transposing my style that is anchored in my culture into a medium that can speak to the world.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
“I anchor my practice in the observation of the relationship between the human condition and our wider cosmic environment. I recognize the ‘space’ this provides for generating visual forms that are crystallized messages for public consumption that make clear references to spiritual teaching and affirmations. These messages may span across various topics but are largely anchored in 13 years of exploration of Jamaican visual communication and music branding. The public mural installations and artworks generated from my studio practice aim to be tools of communication. I find it important to explore multiple seemingly unrelated topics and the irony of forcing them to coexist. Primarily a painter, my work traverses between public wall spaces and various mediums, such as: sound system sculptures, vinyl records and performance action paintings and projections. My main theme is optimism; a sense of Idealism while interrogating the harsh realities of our human existence.”
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
My outlook is that Jamaica was the best place for me to have started my career. I try as much as I can to make a mark that has the imprint of my culture. As I continue to grow, I’m starting to understand that my ideal career is one that allows me to speak to the world. I, therefore, don’t think too much about the industry. I instead try to make as many strides towards establishing my own unique brand of art, and hopefully I can apply this to anything.
Pricing:
- Music promotional items – starting at $400 (usd)
Contact Info:
- Email: m.mccarthyrp@gmail.com
- Website: https://eyedealistja.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eye.dealist/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eye.dealer
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/eyedealistworld
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsK8DW73iW4I4yfzeBL8x_Q
Image Credits
Head Shot – Tracey Thorne Artwork photo – Matthew McCarthy
