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Local Artist Matthew Shows True Bohemian Spirit

Matthew Welch.

Matthew Welch.

The variety of local talent never ceases to amaze us at the Voice. We were recently paid a visit by Matthew Welch, a young artist currently studying for his foundation degree in fine art at Hastings College. Matthew, who is 20 years old, has lived in St Leonards all his life, and now resides on London Road.

DRAWING
He started drawing at primary school and went on to win an award at William Parker School for the best year 11 GCSE work. He then studied for a national diploma at Hastings College before moving on to the foundation course. He is now in his 2nd year and will do his final year either at Hastings College or at Brighton University. After that, Matthew says he may go on to study for an MA at Brighton.

Matthew says he paints mostly in oils, but has recently begun experimenting with charcoal. His work is mostly close-up portraits of friends, in sizes that vary from small to quite large scale. He says of his work, ‘I want to express how close I feel to the people I paint. They are mostly people I’m close to – a lot of portraits of girlfriends.’ When asked about his influences, he cited the young British portrait painter Jenny Saville, whose work was featured at the infamous Sensation exhibition of New British Art in the 1990s, as well as contemporary master Lucian Freud and printmaker Derek Hess.

STABLES
Matthew has exhibited widely across Hastings and St Leonards, including shows at the Stables Theatre Gallery and Claremont Studios. He was also recently selected, along with three other 2nd-year students at Hastings College, to exhibit in a show including pieces by the world-renowned Chapman brothers, Jake and Dinos, who grew up in Hastings. He also has an exhibition planned for the summer at the White Rock Gallery, and a possible second show at Claremont Studios. The next step after that would be to try and get a show in London, he says.

Anyone wanting to know more or even to buy one of Matthew’s pictures can contact him on 443894 or by email at
mattwanted@yahoo.co.uk

Front cover: portrait of friend by Matthew Welch.

Another portrait by talented Bohemia artist Matthew.

Another portrait by talented Bohemia artist Matthew.

Portrait by Matthew Welch.

COMMENTS

Vic Chalcraft writes (May 2007) Dear Sir, I object most strongly to having such an obnoxious picture [below left] put through my door in the name of Bohemia. I refer to that almost obscene cover of your latest production. You may think it art, then so be it. Put it on exhibition in an art gallery where I can choose to see it or not, but to force it on me by putting it through my letter box is another matter and if this  is talking up Bohemia, I can only say ‘Help’. Vic Chalcraft, Aldborough Road.

Vic feels very strongly about this – but what do you think of last month’s cover picture? We’d really like to know. Ed.

 

Stewart Buchan writes (Jun 2007) Dear Sir, Vic Chalcraft, whom I have known for many years, has voiced his opinions on a wide variety of subjects – opinions, I might add, always worthy of consideration. His comments on the ‘pokey tongue’ painting, however, are little short of rubbish. He has failed to note the ability of the young painter, who clearly demonstrates a mature use of his medium and a good understanding of composition. To describe the painting as ‘almost obscene’ suggests a very sheltered life indeed. Vic, stick to what you know. Stewart Buchan, Amherst Road, PS – Congratulations to the BVV – power to your elbow.

Spud Drygloom writes (Jun 2007) Dear Sir, As a Burberry-clad physicist, working in the field of compact linear collision, I find the publication of Mr Vic Chalcraft’s letter in issue 47 extremely offensive! ‘Vic Chalcraft’ is obviously a thinly veiled anagram of ‘Chav Fart CLIC’ (Compact Linear Collider). As a person devoid of all sense of fun and humour, this slur on my kind is enraging enough for me to have to write a letter about it. I’m sure the sensible thing to have done was to keep my ridiculous views to myself and find somthing better to do with my time, but I’m just too much of a grumpy old sod to sit back and let this sort of thing go on.
Spud Drygloom, Bohemia Road.

Anon writes (Jun 2007) Dear Sir, In response to Mr Chalcraft’s letter about ‘that picture’ I would like to write that I felt it showed a good all- round image of life today. Mr Chalcraft only has to walk the streets of Hastings, Brighton, London, etc. to see images even stranger that that. As for ‘that picture’ being forced on him by having it put through his letter box, Mr Chalcraft could have torn the front cover off and put it in the bin prior to reading the magazine. There are far stranger pictures and editorials put through our doors and displayed on billboards in today’s world. Many people today feel that tattooing and body piercing are art – they even hold competitions in some countries. I understood that Britain today is a country of free expression both in the spoken or painted word. All I can suggest is that Mr Chalcraft visits the town centre and the Old Town of Hastings, walks around and looks at the people instead of sitting at his computer or desk writing letters of complaint to all the local editorials. Anon (name and address supplied).

Vic Chalcraft writes (Jul 2007) Dear Sir, I would like to answer my critics of that painting, two of whom are so clever they don’t even know or have the courage to put their names and addresses. But to Stewart, I may point out that at no time did I or many of those who didn’t like the picture, criticise the artist’s obvious skill with the brush. The objection was to his subject matter and its presentation to the public. In my view art portrays the mood of the people at the time the artist paints it, and this picture gives a perfect example of society today. Vic Chalcraft Aldborough Road It’s always a pleasure to get a letter from Vic, and his point about correspondents who wish to remain anonymous is a good one: though we are prepared to publish anonymous letters providing we know who they’re from, we do so reluctantly. Far better to stick your head, not just your writing hand, above the parapet. – Ed.

 

 

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