ABOUT
MATTHEW PLAZA
"There is so much more to life than human fame and glory. We are merely fragile beings, clinging to a rock in space; we cling to our fate. Thus, the role of the artist is so much more than to serve humanity, the notorious violators of the natural order… It is to connect humanity with something that is much greater, higher, and everlasting than ourselves.​"
- Matthew Plaza
"I now view humanism as my primary artistic goal. In the way that Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling represents an expression of the human condition and our place in the creation of everything, my work seeks to explore that same line of thinking in a way that is accessible to the public in our day and age."
"To me, music symbolizes the beautiful triumph of humanity. When we come together as brothers and sisters of a shared passion or goal, we accomplish amazing and beautiful feats which demonstrate the creative power of the human will."
Matthew M. Plaza is an artist in his late twenties, born in Southern California in 1995 and currently based in Prescott, Arizona. He creates expressionist works that explore both figurative and abstract means of communicating humanist themes. He is currently represented by Hart of AZ Gallery in Cottonwood, Arizona, the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery in Jerome, Arizona, and is exhibited at the private studio of the accomplished duo, opera singer Sydney Kucine's and conductor Andrew Hill's joint studio in New York City.
His figurative works seek to invoke a wide range of emotional states and human realities, though they often avoid endorsing any clear message.
His abstract works and elements are known for their minimalist complexity and rhythmic patterns. These elements come together to create a sense of visual harmony and liberation from images and narratives.
Plaza's art reflects his dual life as a visual artist and musician/composer. He believes that art can be experienced through the senses, rather than analyzed solely with the mind. His work aims to return art to its human roots, offering a sensory experience that blends visual and musical elements, as well as provoking reflection upon psychological states we experience.
Despite the modernity of his work, Plaza sees his work as a continuation of the traditional lineage of Western art. His experiences living in the USA, Germany, and England have influenced his unique artistic perspective and sense of the important role that art can have in our society today in addressing the needs and challenges of our culture. He seeks to accomplish this by provoking self-reflection. This key role of art is reflected in his work and choice of medium.
Though his approach might sound complex, Plaza’s art is meant to be enjoyed by everyone. It mostly requires no special knowledge or hidden interpretations; it is about the immediate physical experience and personal connection each viewer feels and derives from their natural senses and their own experiences. Matthew Plaza’s focus on sensory engagement and emotional states, and his use of abstract elements makes his work accessible, unique, and meaningful to all who encounter it.