Matt D McCarthy

Mixed media – egg shells, wishbone, acorns, jack sockets, razor blade, metal, wood, frets, electrical resistors and acrylic.

One of three interconnected pieces based on a Chinese proverb;

” I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man” .

Chang Tse, c. 369-286 BC.

Mixed media, acrylic and inkjet prints.

” I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man” .

Chang Tse, c. 369-286 BC.

This is the only remaining work of three interconnected paintings, based on a previous sculptural work, a small, handmade book containing a series of images concerning time and rhapsodic daydreaming. 
I chose one image in particular, this based on a Chinese philosopher’s observation that ” I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man”. The image conjured by the words had considerable resonance for me, as I had experienced similar feelings of disassociation and unreality in the past. Read the rest of this entry »

An early work based on Jimi Hendrix’s ethnicity and music. ‘Butterfly Effect’ is a recent reinterpretation of this work. 

Mixed media assemblage; bead-weaving, satin, lizard skin, guitar preamplifier, plectrum, velvet, machine embroidery, birch ply, found objects, chamois leather, metal leaf, guitar strings and acrylic paint.

Mixed media assemblage; bead-weaving, satin, lizard skin, guitar preamplifier, plectrum, velvet, machine embroidery, birch ply, found objects, chamois leather, metal leaf, guitar strings and acrylic paint.

Mixed media assemblage; bead-weaving, satin, lizard skin, guitar preamplifier, plectrum, velvet, machine embroidery, birch ply, found objects, chamois leather, metal leaf, guitar strings and acrylic paint.

Frame depicting embossed lyrics to ‘Axis, Bold as Love’, from the album of the same name.

Mixed media assemblage; bead-weaving, satin, lizard skin, guitar preamplifier, plectrum, velvet, machine embroidery, birch ply, found objects, chamois leather, metal leaf, guitar strings and acrylic paint.

This work is concerned with infidelity and deceit. It isn’t unusual for married, ostensibly heterosexual men to pick up gay men for casual sex. Readily available instant sexual gratification is what they are after. The incidental benefits are (comparative) anonymity, emotional detachment, and the added frisson of danger.
On many occasions I have seen some of these men walking about town with their wives and children, the wives oblivious (presumably) to their spouses’ activities. Read the rest of this entry »

Tipi ‘placed’ in a natural environment.

Screw dimensions approximately  eight feet. Calico and curtain lining.
Originally an installation entitled ‘White Elephants’. The increased scale of the objects was designed to emphasise their uselessness.