Matthew Schommer grew up in Michigan among an entire family of artists (all pursuing their respective disciplines). Matthew exhibits his work in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City. His recent solo exhibition in Chicago entitled, “Come Clean” consisted of a group of drawings and neon pieces that conveyed a message of “honesty”, both with each other and with the viewer. He is currently working on a group exhibition with his father Dennis and Chicago artist and friend Tim Anderson. The exhibition will consist of works from each artist as well as collaborative postcards. The show is scheduled for late spring 2021. Matthew currently lives and works in Chicago.

QUESTION:

I’ve always felt that there is a strong relationship between your drawings and film stills. There’s often a sense in your work of a fleeting moment captured, a glance, a gesture. Could you speak to that sense of time and photography in your work?

ANSWER:

I’m drawn to photographs (especially the ones that don’t turn out right). I enjoy photos and films that are out of focus or are cropped oddly or where you can catch a glimpse of the sprocket holes on an old 8mm home movie. When I was a kid (and still to this day) I would take close up photos of the movie I was watching on TV.  Classic film noir and the Miss America pageant have been two of my favorite sources. The still image seemed to be telling me something much different than the movie or show itself was. For me there is great feeling and emotion in that single blurred frame.

Fisher of Men 19” x 25.5” .Watercolor and graphite on stained paper. 2019

I dabbled with film for a few years in my early twenties, but I kept coming back to drawing (something I had been doing my entire life). My drawings today consist of layers upon layers of graphite of different types blended with various materials (some quite unconventional) to get the soft blurred edges I desire. When a piece calls for color I use watercolor or acrylic washes and pastel powder as well. After years of searching and refining my craft I’ve developed the technique and style I use now and feel confident merging drawing and film together, which allows me to say precisely what I want to say.

Lonely Lately.16” x 16”.Graphite in stained paper.2020

The flaws found in the photographs and films make me think of our own. I take the ideas found in photographic imperfections and relate them to our human condition. The figures in many of my drawings seem to be in deep thought as if trying to discern something. I think they’re aware of their shortcomings, and they’re trying to figure out how to correct them so that they can become the people they are meant to be.

There Is A Place . 22” x 22”. Watercolor, pastel powder and graphite on stained paper. 2018