MATTHEW F FISHER

Matthew F Fisher’s work exists in the space between the universal and personal. When one thinks of a crashing wave, rarely are they able to conjure an exact mental picture; rather, their memories act as approximations of what they have told themselves these forms look like. Fisher’s paintings exist within this memory-as-reality, semi-rational in their structure. Using the language of landscape painting as the middle ground between figuration and abstraction, Fisher simultaneously references past, present, and future. This nod creates a limbo between polarities of natural and artificial, action and frozen, real and imagined and is where the narrative starts, and like the painted image, is finished in the viewer's mind.

Matthew F Fisher (b. 1976, Boston, MA) lives and works in New York, NY. His recent solo exhibitions include East Hampton Hole Phase Three, The Hole, East Hampton, NY (2021), Seas, Ochi Projects, Los Angeles, CA (2021), The Great Fire, SHRINE, New York, NY (2020); After the Ice, Taymour Grahne Projects, London, UK (2019); Soft Nature, Ochi Projects, Los Angeles, CA (2019); Strange Light, Over Under Room, Brooklyn, NY (2018); Into the Blue, Johansson Projects, Oakland, CA (2018); and Observable Universe, Taymour Grahne Gallery, New York, NY (2017). Fisher’s work has been exhibited internationally at venues including The Hole, New York, NY; Spazio 22, Milan, Italy; Work Release, Norfolk, VA; and The Breeder, Athens, Greece. Fisher is the recipient of residencies and awards including a Pollock Krasner Foundation Grant (2016), Yaddo (2015, 2007), a New York Foundation for the Arts Artist Fellowship (2010), and the Millay Colony for the Arts (2005). He received his MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University (2000) and his BFA from Columbus College of Art and Design (1998).

Featured Works

A figurative painting that shows a big ocean wave that is facing towards usA figurative painting featuring a brown snail shell on the shoreA figurative painting featuring a monster sea snailA figurative painting showing the calm ocean and brown shore that has grass on itA False Show, 2018 by Matthew F Fisher, Acrylic on canvas, 40 x 25 inchesScience and Faith, 2018 Acrylic on canvas 20 x 16 inchesSpanish Morning, 2018 Acrylic on canvas 25 x 20 inchesAt Sea, 2018 Acrylic on canvas 25 x 20 inches

CV

MATTHEW F FISHER

Born 1976, Boston, MA

Lives and works in New York, NY

EDUCATION

2000

MFA, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

1998

Columbus College of Art and Design

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2024

, Plato Gallery, New York, NY (forthcoming)

2023

The Study of Shapes, SHRINE, New York, NY

2022

Lakes, Devening Projects, Chicago, IL
Time and Space, Taymour Grahne, London, United Kingdom

2021

East Hampton Hole Phase Three, The Hole, East Hampton, NY
Seas, OCHI, Los Angeles, CA

2020

The Great Fire, SHRINE, New York, NY
Four Seasons: A Solo Show, Deanna Evans Project, New York, NY
The Sameness of Everyday, Taymour Grahne, London, United Kingdom

2019

After the Ice, Taymour Grahne, London, United Kingdom
Soft Nature, OCHI, Los Angeles, CA

2018

Into the Blue, Johansson Projects, Oakland, CA
Strange Light, Over Under Room, Brooklyn, NY

2017

Observable Universe, Taymour Grahne, New York, NY
Hello Sea, One River School, Englewood, NJ

2016

Sun, Stars, Sea, and Moon, Airlock Gallery, San Marcos, CA
Ten Years, curated by John Lutz, Spring/Break, New York, NY

2015

Black Water Don't Shine Like the Moon, Sardine, Brooklyn, NY

2014

If You Ain't a Reflection, You're a Wave, Ampersand Gallery, Portland, OR

2013

Goodnight nobody, Weird Days, Brooklyn, NY

2012

Asea, Aloof, Mulherin + Pollard Projects, New York, NY

2010

Lost Time, Heskin Contemporary, New York, NY (catalogue)

2009

Lonesome George, ADA Gallery, Richmond, VA
Forever Is, RARE, New York, NY

2006

Letting Go, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
While You Were Away, ADA Gallery, Richmond, VA

2005

Paintings, Stephanie Theodore at SCOPE, New York, NY

2004

Drawings and Paintings, Spector Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

SELECTED TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS

2022

Someday Morning, with Brian Scott Campbell, Johansson Projects, Oakland, CA

2021

NADA Miami, with Sam Shoemaker, presented by OCHI, Miami, FL

2020

Low Tide, with Claire Colette, OCHI, Sun Valley, ID

2019

Jalopies, with Carl D'Alvia, Drive By Projects, Watertown, MA

2018

Night Waves, with Casey Cook, SHRINE, New York, NY

2017

The Perfect Order of Randomness, with Julie Curtiss, Monya Rowe Gallery, St. Augustine, FL

2016

Artificial Son, with Kyle Breitenbach, Left Field, San Luis Obispo, CA

2015

The World Outside, with Ryan Schneider, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

2012

The Golden Beams of a Laughing Sun, with Rob Matthews, Twist Gallery, Nashville, TN

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2024

Double Vision Part II, Plato, New York, NY
Fractals, curated by Fanny Brodar, C Square Gallery, Taichung City, Taiwan

2023

Beach, Nino Mier Gallery, New York, NY
Death of an Outsider, SHRINE, Los Angeles, CA

2022

Wish You Were Here, OCHI, Sun Valley, ID
Contemporary Curated: Landscape, WOAW Gallery, curated by Taymour Grahne, Hong Kong, China
Manscaping, The Hole, New York, NY and Pais, France
Double Up, My Pet Ram, Santa Barbara, CA

2021

Maria Calandra: Pencil in the Studio, De Pree Art Gallery, Hope College, Holland, MI
Expanded Field, OCHI, Los Angeles, CA
The Fiction, Gallery Func, Shanghai, China
Ridiculous Sublime, SFA Art Advisory, New York, NY
Oasis, The Pit, Palm Springs, CA
Nature Morte, The Hole, New York, NY
Glyphadelphia, curate by Carl D'Alvie, Hesse Flatow, New York, NY

2019

Paper Views, The Hole, New York, NY

2018

Fiery Rain and Movies, Cooling Sun, SEASON, Seattle, WA
The Politics of Pink?, The Dot Project, London, United Kingdom
The Jules Olitski Project, curated by Dr. Vittorio Colaizzi, Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Gallery, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
Nothing But Good Live II, Park, Tilburg, Netherlands

2017

Provisional Landscape, Barbara Walters Gallery at Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY
Through the Art of Painting, Deanna Evans Projects, Brooklyn, NY
In Paper We Trust, The Dot Project, London, United Kingdom
Group Portrait, Unisex Salon, Brooklyn, NY
When Y was thus Released, Ampersand Gallery, Portland, OR
Somewhere, curated by 106 Green, Atlanta Contemporary, Atlanta, GA
The Twenty by Sixteen Biennial, curated by Geoffrey Young, Morgan Lehman Gallery New York, NY
Pro FormaL Context and Meaning in Abstraction, curate by Dr. Vittorio Colaizzi, Work Release, Norfolk, VA (catalogue)

2016

In Which We Dwell, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Magic, Mercer County College, West Windsor, NJ
Lunacy, curated by Eric Hibit, OyG Projects, Brooklyn, NY
Solar Vortex, Geoffrey Young Gallery, Great Barrington, MA
Finding Your Way, Monya Rowe Gallery, St. Augustine, FL
Sensorium, Kravets Wehby Gallery, New York, NY
Pink and Green, Eddy's Room, Brooklyn, NY
Casino Cabaret, curated by Melissa Brown, Safe Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2015

The River Keeps Talking, Ampersand Gallery, Portland, OR
Image is Everything, Geoffrey Young Gallery, Great Barrington, MA
The Ocean is Double Sided, SEASON, Seattle, WA
Let's Go Away for a While, curate by Erik den Breejen and Maris Calandra, One Mile Gallery, Kingston, NY
I Am What I Am Not Yet, curated by Diana Buckley, Madelyn Jordon Fine Art Gallery, Scarsdale, NY
New Narratives, Storefront Ten Eyck, Brooklyn, NY

2014

Quiet Please, RARE Gallery, New York, NY
Transcendent Landscapes, Drive By Projects, Watertown, MA
Not a Force but a Curvature, curated by Ryan Schneider, Novella Gallery, New York, NY
Interchange, Goldie Paley Gallery, Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA
Nothing But Good, Park, Tilbur, Netherlands

2013

Endless Summer, curated by Gary Peterson, Brian Morris Gallery, New York, NY
Thirsty, ADA Gallery, Richmond, VA
Hypertrophic Visions, curated by Robin Reisenfeld, New York Center for Arts & Media Studies, New York, NY (catalogue)
Hydroflow, Goucher College, Baltimore, MD (catalogue)
LAND, HO!, curated by Holly Coulis and Ridley Howard, VCU Fine Arts Gallery, Richmond, VA
Chiaroscuro, Novella Gallery, New York, NY
Ear Nose and Throat, WILDLIFE, Brooklyn, NY
Nearly Neutral, Barbara Walters Gallery, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY

2012

I glove U, curated by Ridley Howard and Ester Partegas, Reynolds Gallery, Richmond, VA
Intramurals, AFA Gallery, Scranton, PA

2011

Southern Cross, Grizzly Grizzly, Philadelphia, PA
Captured (A Portrait Show), Heskin Contemporary, New York, NY
The Nature of Drawing, Dowling College, Oakdale, NY
All My Friends, Small Black Door, Ridgewood, NY

2010

Flat Earth, Winona State University, Winona, MN
New Narrative, curated by John Serdula, Heskin Contemporary, New York, NY
Folksmusic, curated by Jon Lutz, Daily Operation, Brooklyn, NY
Natural Reaction, curated by Elizabeth Heskin, Metropolitan Green, Brooklyn, NY

2009

Ripple Effect, The Athenaeum, Alexandria, VA
Beautiful Human, curated by Shelley Spector, Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery at Haverford College, Haverford, PA (catalogue)
Vintage Violence, Space 414, Brooklyn, NY

2008

Political Winter Redux, curated by Dr. Yolande Trincere, Molloy College, Rockville Center, NY (catalogue)
The Drawing Narrative, Jenny Jansky Gallery, Philadelphia, PA (catalogue)
The Indigenous Visitor, Heskin Contemporary, New York, NY
Spot Check: Academy Contemporary, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, Philadelphia, PA

2007

The Colonial Show, curated by Leah Stoddard, Second Street Gallery, Charlottesville, VA (catalogue)
The Comic Uncanny, curated by Stephanie Theodore, Shaheen Modern & Contemporary Art, Cleveland, OH
This Place is Ours! Recent Acquisitions at the Academy, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
In Summer, The Song Sings Itself, Pentimenti Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
One Day I will Control the Sun, The Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, New York, NY
Trash Menagerie, Drake Hotel, Toronto, Canada

2006

Posture and Expression, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

2005

Hello Sunday, curated by Holly Coulis, Sixtyseven Gallery, New York, NY
Casper David Séance, Jack the Pelican Presents, Brooklyn, NY
Drawing for It 2, Spector Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Introspective Men, curated by David Kefford, Madder 139, London, United Kingdom
Operation RAW, Icebox Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Sasquatch Society, Sixtyseven Gallery, New York, NY
Honeymoon With Romeo, Groeflin Maag Galerie, Basel, Switzerland
Folklore for a New Millennium, Lawrence Asher Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
Pencil on Glass, Sushi Art at Voz Alta Project, San Diego, CA

2004

The Great (Re)Masters, Spector Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
AC, Elizabeth Dee Gallery, New York, NY
Pictionary, curated by Andry Cross, Kravets/Wehby Gallery, New York, NY
Toys in the Attic, curated by Stephanie Theodore, Lennon Weinberg Inc., New York, NY
Death to the Fascist Insect that Preys on the Life of the People, Gallery 800, Brooklyn, NY
This is for Real: War and the Contemporary Audience, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY

2003

The Winter Show, The Painting Center, New York, NY
The Next, SPACE Gallery, Portland, ME
Homeland Security, 450 Broadway Gallery, New York, NY

AWARDS & RESIDENCIES

2016

Grant Recipient, Pollock-Krasner Foundation, New York, NY

2015

Yaddo Residency, Saratoga Springs, NY

2010

Painting Fellowship, New York Foundation for the Arts, New York, NY

2007

Yaddo Residency, Saratoga Springs, NY

2005

Full Fellowship, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT

Millay Colony for the Arts Resident, Austerlitz, NY

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

2024

Kakar, Arun. “10 Emerging Artists to Discover at Foundations," Artsy, Jul. 23

2023

Pricco, Evan. “Matthew F Fisher Presents The Study of Shapes @ Shrine, NYC," Juxtapoz, Jul. 19
Den Breejen, Erik. “Gallery-Going: The Tide Is High," The New York Sun, Jun. 22

2022

Lane, S. Nicole. “The Color Blue: A Review of Matthew F Fisher’s “Lakes" at Devening Projects," Newcity Art, Dec. 7
Small, Zachary. “After Pak and Beeple, What’s Next for NFT Collectors? Art Made with a Paintbrush," The New York Times, Feb. 12

2021

Hazani, Joseph. “Seas by Matthew F Fisher @ OCHI," a dilettante, Jul. 2
Brindza, Csaba. “Matthew F Fisher," You Wanted a List, Jun.
Chernick, Karen. “What Gallery Representation Means for an Artist’s Career," Artsy, Apr. 21

2020

Lopez, Juliana. “5 Artists to Follow if You Like Georgia O’Keeffe," Artsy, Oct. 14
“Matthew F Fisher’s “The Great Fire" @ Shrine, NYC," Juxtapoz, Sep. 17
“Matthew F Fisher: The Sameness of Every Day," Juxtapoz, May 3
Feldmann, Kim. “Drawing Everything Out Of Nothing," Surf Simply Magazine, May
“Into the Blue and the Delicate Ink Works of Matthew F Fisher," Juxtapoz, Apr. 19

2019

Salvadó, Arnau. “Abstract Nature," Metal Magazine, Feb.

2018

Monro, Lara. “Pastel Hues and Mesmerising Blues," Dateagle Art, Dec. 19
“Over Under Room Interview: Matthew F Fisher," Pilgrim, Nov. 9
Leiman, Layla. “Paintings of Tomorrow Viewed from Today by Matthew F Fisher," ArtMaze Magazine, Aug. 6
Bogojev, Sasha. “Matthew F Fisher’s Portraits of Beachscapes in ‘Into the Blue,’", Juxtapoz, Feb. 5
Ehrlich, Madeline. “Thursday Spotlight: Life After Greenpoint, Catching Up with Matthew F Fisher," Greenpointers, Feb. 1

2017

Maziar, Paul. “Taking from Life: My Phone Call with Matthew F Fisher," Whitehot Magazine, Dec.

2015

Maziar, Paul. “A Complete Eye of Water: A Summer Show at Ampersand Gallery," ArtCritical, Sep. 19
Burbank, Megan. “Properties of Water in The River Keeps Talking," Portland Mercury, Aug. 19
Wolin, Joseph. ‘Art Review,’, Time Out New York, Iss. 989, Feb. 12-18
New American Painters, Iss. 116

2014

MacQuaid, Cate. "“David X. Levine mines nostalgia for ‘John Surette," Boston Globe, Oct. 8
“Matthew F Fisher: Black Water Don’t Shine Like the Moon," Time Out New York, Aug. 19
Newhall, Edith. “A Fine Show of Something Else," Philadelphia Inquirer, Aug. 10
Howard, Ridley. “If You Ain’t a Reflection, You’re a Wave: Interview With Matthew Fisher," The Huffington Post, Mar. 14

2013

McClemont, Doug. "Endless Summer," Artnews, Dec.

2010

Kozlowski, Andy. “Matthew Fisher," Art Papers, Mar.

2009

Wolin, Joseph R. “Critic Picks," Artforum, Apr. 26
Newhall, Edith. “Galleries: Six Artists Shine a Light on the Human Image," Philadelphia Inquirer, Sep. 27

2008

Newhall, Edith. “Drawing on Their Love For the Illustrative Art," Philadelphia Inquirer, May 23
Utter, Douglas Max. “The Comic Uncanny," Art Papers, Mar. / Apr.
Parsons, Laura. “Historical Revision: Colonial Iconoclasm," The Hook, Jan. 3
Trincere, Yolande., Political Winter Redux, (catalogue)

2007

Fallon, Roberta. “Breezy Does It," Philadelphia Weekly, Jul. 11
Rapa, Patrick. “In Summer, the Song Sings Itself," Philadelphia City Paper, Jul. 5
“The Top 600 Websites Ever in the Universe (in 2008)," NY Arts, Nov. / Dec.
Stoddard, Leah. “Introduction: Why Colonial Now?", The Colonial Show, (catalogue)
Strauss, R.B. “Some First Friday Jewels for July," University City Review, Jul. 4

2005

News

  • Matthew F Fisher
    10 Emerging Artists to Discover at Foundations
    Artsy
    July 23, 2024
    LINK

  • Matthew F Fisher
    Matthew F Fisher Presents The Study of Shapes @ Shrine, NYC
    Juxtapoz
    June 23, 2023
    LINK

  • Matthew F. Fisher
    Gallery Going: The Tide is High
    The New York Sun
    June 22, 2023
    LINK