Matt Bahen
From a distance, Bahen’s paintings appear almost photographic in clarity yet as one draws near, the image disintegrates into a series of sculptural marks. The works themselves have an intrinsic dichotomy of surface and image; the thick and rough handling of the paint reinforces the brute nature of the subject and the conceptual agenda of the work. Through heavy paint and pronounced brushwork, these paintings possess an analog presence of the artists’ hand; they accomplish a distinct separation from the photograph, which is conflated with the idea of journalistic truth.

To Follow the String
Oil on Canvas
36 x 36 x 2 in | 91.4 x 91.4 x 5.1 cm
2019

To Follow the String

The World Lies Waiting

The Dark Forest

Porcupine

The Tapestry That Was the World

untitled

Written So Not Even The Rain Could Wash It Away

untitled

A Thousand Points of Light

Herzogs Vally

A Fire Burned

The Coiner's Forge

His Last Words Were Your Name

Armatures Into The Earth

Apon Another Shore

Like a String of Dried Black Figs
To Follow the String
Oil on Canvas
36 x 36 x 2 in | 91.4 x 91.4 x 5.1 cm
2019

The World Lies Waiting
Oil on Canvas
48 x 54 x 2 in | 121.9 x 137.2 x 5.1 cm
2018

The Dark Forest
Oil on Canvas
60 x 66 x 2 in | 152.4 x 167.6 x 5.1 cm
2019

Porcupine
Oil on Canvas
48 x 54 x 2 in | 121.9 x 137.2 x 5.1 cm
2019

The Tapestry That Was the World
Oil on Canvas
108 x 78 x 2 in | 274.3 x 198.1 x 5.1 cm
2018

untitled
Oil on Canvas
78 x 78 x 2 in | 198.1 x 198.1 x 5.1 cm
2019

Written So Not Even The Rain Could Wash It Away
Oil on Canvas
48 x 54 x 2 in | 121.9 x 137.2 x 5.1 cm
2019

untitled
Oil on Canvas
66 x 66 x 2 in | 167.6 x 167.6 x 5.1 cm
2019

A Thousand Points of Light
Oil on Canvas
36 x 36 x 2 in | 91.4 x 91.4 x 5.1 cm
2016

Herzogs Vally
Oil on Canvas
36 x 36 x 2 in | 91.4 x 91.4 x 5.1 cm
2018

A Fire Burned
Oil on Canvas
36 x 36 x 2 in | 91.4 x 91.4 x 5.1 cm
2016

The Coiner's Forge
Oil on Canvas
36 x 36 x 2 in | 91.4 x 91.4 x 5.1 cm
2016

His Last Words Were Your Name
Oil on Canvas
48 x 42 x 2 in | 121.9 x 106.7 x 5.1 cm
2016

Armatures Into The Earth
Oil on Canvas
79 x 72 x 2 in | 200.7 x 182.9 x 5.1 cm
2015

Apon Another Shore
Oil on Canvas
78 x 72 x 2 in | 198.1 x 182.9 x 5.1 cm
2015

Like a String of Dried Black Figs
Oil on Canvas
48 x 42 x 2 in | 121.9 x 106.7 x 5.1 cm
2015

Surface @ Texas Contemporary 2018
October 4, 2018 to October 7, 2018
George R. Brown Convention Center
View exhibit press release (pdf)
For Texas Contemporary 2018, Claire Oliver Gallery is proud to present a three Artist curated exhibition of new works of art by Gabi Trinkaus, Norbert Brunner, and Matt Bahen entitled Surface.

Current image:
Featured Artists: Gabi Trinkaus, Norbert Burnner & Matt Bahn
Texas Contemporary
2018

Current image:
The Face of Now
Cut Magazine Paper and Paint on Canvas
2018

Current image:
heragain
Cut Magazine Paper and Paint on Canvas
2018

Current image:
Featured Artists: Gabi Trinkaus, Norbert Burnner & Matt Bahn
Texas Contemporary
2018

Current image:
authenticity takes bravery
Acrylic Glass. Acrylic Mirror, Swarovski Crystals, MDF
2017

Current image:
ADDI
Cut Magazine Clippings on Canvas
2017

Current image:
Herzogs Vally
Oil on Canvas
2018

Current image:
Featured Artists: Gabi Trinkaus, Norbert Burnner & Matt Bahn
Texas Contemporary
2018

Current image:
The Tapestry That Was the World
Oil on Canvas
2018

Current image:
For Humans
Cut Magazine Clippings on Canvas
2017

Current image:
fear is the enemy of change
Acrylic Glass. Acrylic Mirror, Swarovski Crystals, MDF
2017

Current image:
After a While There Was Very Little Sign That Anything Had Taken Place There
Oil on Canvas
2018

Current image:
splosh
Cut Magazine Paper and Paint on Canvas
2018

Current image:
The Patience of the Earth
Oil on Canvas
2018
Suspect Realities @ Seattle Art Fair 2018
August 2, 2018 to August 5, 2018
CenturyLink Field Event Center, Seattle WA
View exhibit press release (pdf)
It has become increasingly difficult to discern fact from fiction. Voyeurism is in, yet can we believe what we see? In today’s digitized, Instagram world, nothing is sure; one always must distrust. Photoshop naturalizes the false. Any image can be manipulated, cropped, retouched, enhanced, any sound altered, any voice “Auto-Tuned” until no authenticity remains. Reality T.V. is artifice with predictable narrative, directed and scripted dialogue, and post-production editing that seamlessly delivers emotional attachment and pleasure in between strategically placed commercial breaks. In “CelebReality” everyone can vicariously share Warhol’s 15 minutes of fame not so readily found in our work a day lives.

Current image:
Suspect Reality @ Seattle Art Fair
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2018

Current image:
Suspect Reality @ Seattle Art Fair
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2018

Current image:
Suspect Reality @ Seattle Art Fair
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2018

Current image:
Suspect Reality @ Seattle Art Fair
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2018

Current image:
Suspect Reality @ Seattle Art Fair
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2018

Current image:
Suspect Reality @ Seattle Art Fair
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2018

Current image:
VIP event: Garden Party and Studio Visit
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2018

Current image:
VIP event: Garden Party and Studio Visit
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2018

Current image:
VIP event: Garden Party and Studio Visit
Cut Tyvek
2018

Current image:
The Matryoshka Dolls 2
C-Print
2014

Current image:
The Temptation Of St Anthony
Stained Glass
2018

Current image:
Scrying #8
shells, carved obsidian, mixed media
2018

Current image:
The Tapestry That Was the World
Oil on Canvas
2018

Current image:
The Square Roots 2
C-Print
2015

Current image:
The Florist
Stained Glass Lightbox
2018

Current image:
John Dee's Obsidian Dreams
shells, carved obsidian, mixed media
2018

Current image:
All Things There Were Older Than Man
Oil on Canvas
2018

Current image:
The Matryoshka Dolls 1
C-Print
2014

Current image:
Tiny Tastes of Darkness #2
Shells, Wood, Paint, Spray Foam and Found Objects
2018

Current image:
Many Feet Have Crossed This Stream
Oil on Canvas
2018
Chicago Expo 2016
September 22, 2016 to September 25, 2016
Navy Pier, Chicago IL
View exhibit press release (pdf)
presenting a curated exhibition, Meditations on Impending Disaster that will feature the works of gallery artists Lisa Alonzo and Matt Bahen. Both artist’s use of paint is thick, gestural and singular to their practice. Their conceptual underpinnings tell our human story through the use of imagined landscape. By using the tension of surface and perspective in a new manner, each explores the concerns and frustrations felt from our futile attempt to capture and/or manipulate our natural world.

Current image:
Meditations on Impending Disaster
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2016

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The Inner Station
Oil on Canvas
2016

Current image:
Meditations on Impending Disaster
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2016

Current image:
Microbead Bash
Acrylic and Molding Paste Piped on Panel
2016

Current image:
Meditations on Impending Disaster
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2016

Current image:
Armatures Into The Earth
Oil on Canvas
2015

Current image:
Mathuselah
Acrylic and Molding Paste Piped on Panel
2017

Current image:
Meditations on Impending Disaster
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2016

Current image:
Meditations on Impending Disaster
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2016

Current image:
Meditation on Impending Disaster
Acrylic and Molding Paste Piped on Panel
2016

Current image:
Who is Begotten in the Round
Oil on Canvas
2015

Current image:
Between the Wish and the Thing
Oil on Canvas
2016

Current image:
Meditations on Impending Disaster
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2016

Current image:
A Fire Burned
Oil on Canvas
2016

Current image:
Bugout 2.0
Acrylic and Molding Paste Piped on Panel
2016

Current image:
His Last Words Were Your Name
Oil on Canvas
2016

Current image:
A Thousand Points of Light
Oil on Canvas
2016

Current image:
White Out
Acrylic and Molding Paste Piped on Panel
2016
Featured Artists: Gabi Trinkaus, Norbert Burnner & Matt Bahn
Texas Contemporary

The Face of Now
Cut Magazine Paper and Paint on Canvas
91 x 67 in | 231.1 x 170.2 cm
2018

heragain
Cut Magazine Paper and Paint on Canvas
51 x 59 in | 129.5 x 149.9 cm
2018

Featured Artists: Gabi Trinkaus, Norbert Burnner & Matt Bahn
Texas Contemporary

authenticity takes bravery
Acrylic Glass. Acrylic Mirror, Swarovski Crystals, MDF
39 x 39 x 3 in | 99.1 x 99.1 x 7.6 cm
2017

ADDI
Cut Magazine Clippings on Canvas
51 x 59 x 2 in | 129.5 x 149.9 x 5.1 cm
2017

Herzogs Vally
Oil on Canvas
36 x 36 x 2 in | 91.4 x 91.4 x 5.1 cm
2018

Featured Artists: Gabi Trinkaus, Norbert Burnner & Matt Bahn
Texas Contemporary

The Tapestry That Was the World
Oil on Canvas
108 x 78 x 2 in | 274.3 x 198.1 x 5.1 cm
2018

For Humans
Cut Magazine Clippings on Canvas
51 x 59 x 2 in | 129.5 x 149.9 x 5.1 cm
2017

fear is the enemy of change
Acrylic Glass. Acrylic Mirror, Swarovski Crystals, MDF
39 x 39 x 3 in | 99.1 x 99.1 x 7.6 cm
2017

After a While There Was Very Little Sign That Anything Had Taken Place There
Oil on Canvas
42 x 48 x 2 in | 106.7 x 121.9 x 5.1 cm
2018

splosh
Cut Magazine Paper and Paint on Canvas
51 x 589 in | 129.5 x 1496.1 cm
2018

The Patience of the Earth
Oil on Canvas
24 x 24 x 2 in | 61.0 x 61.0 x 5.1 cm
2018

Suspect Reality @ Seattle Art Fair
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Suspect Reality @ Seattle Art Fair
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Suspect Reality @ Seattle Art Fair
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Suspect Reality @ Seattle Art Fair
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Suspect Reality @ Seattle Art Fair
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Suspect Reality @ Seattle Art Fair
Exhibition Installation Photograph

VIP event: Garden Party and Studio Visit
Exhibition Installation Photograph

VIP event: Garden Party and Studio Visit
Exhibition Installation Photograph

VIP event: Garden Party and Studio Visit
Cut Tyvek

The Matryoshka Dolls 2
C-Print
80 x 40 in | 203.2 x 101.6 cm
2014

The Temptation Of St Anthony
Stained Glass
23 x 27 x 3 in | 58.4 x 68.6 x 7.6 cm
2018

Scrying #8
shells, carved obsidian, mixed media
41 x 33 x 12 in | 104.1 x 83.8 x 30.5 cm
2018

The Tapestry That Was the World
Oil on Canvas
108 x 78 x 2 in | 274.3 x 198.1 x 5.1 cm
2018

The Square Roots 2
C-Print
80 x 40 in | 203.2 x 101.6 cm
2015

The Florist
Stained Glass Lightbox
30 x 30 x 4 in | 76.2 x 76.2 x 10.2 cm
2018

John Dee's Obsidian Dreams
shells, carved obsidian, mixed media
28 x 28 x 8 in | 71.1 x 71.1 x 20.3 cm
2018

All Things There Were Older Than Man
Oil on Canvas
54 x 48 x 2 in | 137.2 x 121.9 x 5.1 cm
2018

The Matryoshka Dolls 1
C-Print
60 x 30 in | 152.4 x 76.2 cm
2014

Tiny Tastes of Darkness #2
Shells, Wood, Paint, Spray Foam and Found Objects
5 x 5 x 3 in | 12.7 x 12.7 x 7.6 cm
2018

Many Feet Have Crossed This Stream
Oil on Canvas
36 x 36 x 2 in | 91.4 x 91.4 x 5.1 cm
2018

Meditations on Impending Disaster
Exhibition Installation Photograph

The Inner Station
Oil on Canvas
78 x 78 x 2 in | 198.1 x 198.1 x 5.1 cm
2016

Meditations on Impending Disaster
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Microbead Bash
Acrylic and Molding Paste Piped on Panel
36 x 24 x 3 in | 91.4 x 61.0 x 7.6 cm
2016

Meditations on Impending Disaster
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Armatures Into The Earth
Oil on Canvas
79 x 72 x 2 in | 200.7 x 182.9 x 5.1 cm
2015

Mathuselah
Acrylic and Molding Paste Piped on Panel
32 x 30 x 3 in | 81.3 x 76.2 x 7.6 cm
2017

Meditations on Impending Disaster
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Meditations on Impending Disaster
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Meditation on Impending Disaster
Acrylic and Molding Paste Piped on Panel
24 x 14 x 3 in | 61.0 x 35.6 x 7.6 cm
2016

Who is Begotten in the Round
Oil on Canvas
48 x 42 x 2 in | 121.9 x 106.7 x 5.1 cm
2015

Between the Wish and the Thing
Oil on Canvas
36 x 36 x 2 in | 91.4 x 91.4 x 5.1 cm
2016

Meditations on Impending Disaster
Exhibition Installation Photograph

A Fire Burned
Oil on Canvas
36 x 36 x 2 in | 91.4 x 91.4 x 5.1 cm
2016

Bugout 2.0
Acrylic and Molding Paste Piped on Panel
40 x 24 x 3 in | 101.6 x 61.0 x 7.6 cm
2016

His Last Words Were Your Name
Oil on Canvas
48 x 42 x 2 in | 121.9 x 106.7 x 5.1 cm
2016

A Thousand Points of Light
Oil on Canvas
36 x 36 x 2 in | 91.4 x 91.4 x 5.1 cm
2016

White Out
Acrylic and Molding Paste Piped on Panel
-244 x -124 x 3 in | -619.8 x -315.0 x 7.6 cm
2016

Selected Public Collections:
- Ontario College of Art and Design, Toronto, Canada
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Toronto, Canada
- BMO Financial Group, Toronto, Canada
- Canadian National Landscaping Association Ontario, Canada
Awards:
- O.C.A.D. – Figure Drawing + Painting Award · 2002
- The Hungarian Helcion Society Scholarship of Excellence in
Drawing and Painting · 2001 - The Sully Corth Memorial Fund Scholarship · 200
Solo Exhibitions:
- The Curve of the Earth, Claire Oliver Gallery, New York, NY · 2016
- Introducing Matt Bahen, Claire Oliver Gallery, New York, NY · 2015
- Ark, LE Gallery, Toronto, Ontario · 2015
- Sometimes Comes the Mother, Sometimes the Wolf, Munch Gallery, New York, NY · 2014
- Striking Fire Out of the Rock, LE Gallery, Toronto, Ontario · 2013
- Gravity’s Faith, The MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie Ontario · 2013
- The Weight of Light, Munch Gallery, New York, New York · 2012
- After Wolves, Le Gallery, Toronto Ontario · 2012
- Run with the Hunted, Moore Gallery, Toronto Ontario · 2010
- The River, Moore Gallery, Toronto Ontario · 2008
- Marlow, Moore Gallery, Toronto Ontario · 2007
- God and Country, Hampden Gallery University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA · 2006
- No Picture, LE Gallery, Toronto Ontario · 2006
- Straw Dogs, Moore Gallery, Toronto, Ontario · 2005
Selected Group Exhibitions:
- Seattle Art Fair, Claire Oliver Gallery · 2018
- EXPO Chicago, Claire Oliver Gallery · 2017
- Miami Project, Claire Oliver Gallery · 2015
- EXPO Chicago, Claire Oliver Gallery · 2015
- Selected Works, Studio 21, Halifax, Nova Scotia · 2014
- 60 Painters, Humber College School of Arts and Media, Toronto Ontario · 2012
- Introducing Matt Bahen and Katie Pretti, James Baird Gallery, Pouch Cove, Canada · 2011
- PooL International Art Fair, New York, New York · 2011
- Merge, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto Ontario · 2010
- God and Country, Harcourt House, Edmonton, Alberta · 2006
Articles & Reviews:
- Horne-Gaul, Laura. ARK an Interview with Matt Bahen. Tussel Magazine. Web. 2015
- Hall, Sarah Elise. Matt Bahen @Munch Gallery, White Hot Magazine. Web. May 2014
- “Studio Visit : Matt Bahen.” Studio Beat. n.p. Web. June 19, 2013
- R. M. Vaughan. “All Sharon Switzer needs is a comfy Freudian couch.” The Globe and Mail 31 March 2012.
- Rubenstein, Bradley. “Light in August.” Culture Catch. Web. September 13, 2012
- Meir, Allison. “Three LES Shows Reveal a World of Hidden Details.” Hyperallergic. Web. September 20, 2012
- “Munch Gallery Shares Their Latest Installation.” ARTE FUSE. n.p. Web. September 26, 2012
- Gladman, Randy. “Matt Bahen at Moore Gallery.” Arkylic. Web. April 28, 2010

To Follow the String
Oil on Canvas
36 x 36 x 2 in | 91.4 x 91.4 x 5.1 cm
2019
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