Jay Barry Matthews designs and makes art work that intersects the spaces between the body and space where he utilises his skills as a costume designer to expand the notions of what it means to appear in the world. From performance art, installation, sculpture and drag he is committed to using intricate handmade craft techniques to explore contemporary tribalism. Matthews uses found objects, textiles, rope and knotting techniques to create bold and vivid tableaus that provoke dialogue about belonging, sexuality and the identity politics in a modern environment that is so fraught with the feeling of inertia. He questions, how do we project ourselves towards equality through liberation with a respect for diversity and individualism? There is no limit to his curiosity and pursuit of a collective understanding through creative expression and critical reflexivity.

 

Matthews has exhibited artwork worldwide in New York, London, Krakow, Oxford, Melbourne & Berlin as well as training to teach Jivamukti Yoga and meditation which influences his works position and use of sustainable materials.

He has developed his professional creative practice over 20 years working and collaborating with Grace Jones, The Victoria and Albert Museum, The British Queer Museum, 

 

The Spice Girls, Kylie Minogue, Marvel Films, Tim Burton, Ridley Scott, Colleen Atwood, Matthew Bourne, Damian Jalet, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Olympia Bukkakis & Sink the Pink among others. His experience spans from film sets to concert and festival stages around the world to prestigious theatres to underground performance spaces. Jay Barry Matthews completed a BA in Contemporary Art and Critical Theory and a BA in Fashion and Textile in Western Australia where he was born. After living in London for 10 years and travelling the world he now lives in Berlin.