Matt D McCarthy

An image that I may use as a basis for a larger painting or collage.

A simple idea, but it appealed to me, reminiscent to me of Grant Wood’s ‘American Gothic’ .

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.