News
Gallery 5X7
I have always loved the work of the early pioneers of American photography so I am especially pleased to be working with WJ Eastman and Gallery5X7 based in the United States. This niche online gallery represents a small number of international photographic artists working with traditional photographic processes. I look forward to sharing my work with American collectors.
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Bluethumb.com.au
I have decided that all of my handmade fine art prints sold via Bluethumb will now be framed & ready for you to hang. I figure that you don't really want to be faffing around sorting it all out when I can do it all for you a lot quicker. The default frame that I prefer to use is this wonderfully stylish real timber Victorian Ash frame which is hand stained with Japan Black.
It beats the pants off most other frames. Digital work will remain unframed unless framing is requested via the Bluethumb framing options.
Visit Bluethumb Gallery: Mat Hughes
Frame specification:
(Handmade prints only)
Victorian Ash
Hand stained with Japan Black
Front face: 20mm
Side face: 30mm
Print bonded/matted
Quarantine Project: August
Still life-balance, 2020
These six handmade photographs, taken in a still-life style explore the theme of isolation and life balance, and were made over a two-week period. The photographs manage to fuse our current collective state of mind and the sense of endless mundane routine that shape our house-bound lives and contrasts it with the often overlooked simple pleasures like seeing the sheer beauty of sunlight falling on a vase of flowers.
But these are not static still-life vignettes, they come with a chase scene. This is a pictorialist demonstration in composition. The sunlight appears to visibly race across the wall infusing the scene with a warm glow and in that perfect fraction of a second everything is in absolute balance and all of our current worries are forgotten and we can once again breathe.
These photographs were made on film using a large format camera. Working with a combination of film and digital, the final prints were made using the traditional 19th century Van Dyke Brown printing process.
In a digital age where granular sharpness is often the benchmark, these images present an older artisanal practice, one that celebrates authenticity. One where paper is coated by hand with a light sensitive emulsion, where prints are finished with varnish and bees wax and the finished work is presented as a tactile object behind a finely crafted frame.
Contact: 0407 822 160
Rock'n'Roll Style
I'm a big fan of loud in-your-face rock! Several years ago I had the opportunity to photograph an incredible collection of old 8 track carts up in Queensland. The tapes were all beaten up, stored in dusty old boxes and had been played half to death. But the sheer breadth of the collection was astounding! It was a perfect musical snap shot of the 1970's and the music that I love...
With this range of original feature-wall prints I have sought to capture nostalgia of days gone by. No effort has been made to disguise the scrapes and scratches on these old tapes.
Presented in slick high gloss frames, these limited edition prints re imagine our old bedroom posters and bring them into the living room!
This framed Rolling Stones artwork is currently available from: Art to Art
For other Bands/Albums:
Contact: 0407 822 160
Quarantine Projects - July
Elwood Bridges, 2020
It would be fair to say that I have been busier than ever with both digital sales via the Bluethumb online gallery platform and also with direct sales of my handmade Fine Art prints.
My current fixation is with the Van Dyke Brown printing process. The results are quite lovely, very tactile and reflect the hand made nature and uniqueness of traditional photography. The process also allows me to work from my home studio under subdued lighting conditions rather than needing the full darkroom set up which is a welcome relief.
I currently have three quarantine projects running, Elwood bridges & two still life studies. You can view Elwood Bridges in the Fine Art Gallery above. I am pleased to say that the first run of prints sold out. Further requests will be printed to order. Still Life work will be published and available in due course. I'm also trying to clear space for new work and have a few Framed & Ready to Hang items for sale. Message me direct if there is something specific that you are after.
Contact: 0407 822 160
First prints sold out
Currently printing to order
New Ways of Seeing - COVID19
In these crazy times its important for Artists to remain active and develop new ways of interacting with the audience. With an increasing move towards self isolation and in an effort to reach out, I have set up a studio webcam and will start to livestream. If I`ve got something interesting, I`ll announce it beforehand on Instagram or Facebook, so keep your eye`s peeled! Scroll down the home page for latest videos. Use can also use the orange bubble (bottom right) to Instant Message me if you fancy a chat. Feel free to ask any questions. You don`t have to buy anything. It`s ok just to chew the fat and say howdy!
Alternatively you can connect via Skype or Facetime to view or chat about any of the artworks for sale.
Skype: live:matthewhughes_1
Facetime: +61 (0)407 822 160
Visit Home page for latest video
Exhibition: Journeys and Discoveries - Bayside Gallery, Brighton
29th January-8th March 2020
Brighton Town Hall, Corner Wilson and Carpenter Streets, Brighton, Victoria 3186
Free Event: Exhibition Artists in Conversation with Bayside Gallery Curators: Saturday 15th February 2pm
'Bayside Local' is a group exhibition that showcases the work of accomplished artists living in and around Bayside who have responded to the theme of 'journeys and discoveries'.
Exhibition: Group Chemistry 2019 - Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne
Friday 30th August - 15th September 2019
Level 1 and 2/322 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
“Group Chemistry 2019 is the third exhibition by the Melbourne based, Friends of Photography Group. Featuring analogue film work, the exhibition invites the viewer to experience the chemistry of photography through two different contexts: the scientific magic of the darkroom and the intangible chemistry of a group who share their knowledge, build community and encourage creativity through film photography"
Exhibition: Extending Tradition 2 - LightBox Photographic Gallery, Astoria, Oregon
Saturday 10th August - 11th September 2019
1045 Marine Drive, Astoria, Oregon 97103-4219
“Thirty-six Photographers exhibit work celebrating the traditional approach and beauty of large format film photography. This exhibition gives recognition to those whose interest follows the masterful path of traditional large format photography. The LightBox Photographic Gallery features the work of Photographers who use traditional tools and methods from the early days of photography. Each Photographer finds their own reward in their disciplined and methodical practice which results in these distinctive and unique photographs”
Click Photo for Gallery link
Meet the Artist - MCC (Melbourne Camera Club)
Artist Talk Saturday 13th & 14th April 2019
Corner of Ferrars Street & Dorcas Street, South Melbourne, Victoria
I`II be giving a couple of informal Artist Talks over at the MCC, South Melbourne on the 13th & 14th April. Both talks start at 12.30. I shall have a few works from my recent solo exhibition at Gasworks Arts Park and will be sharing some of the thoughts and techniques behind the work.
Exhibition: The Print Exposed - Gold Street Studios
20th March - 26th May 2019
700 James Lane, Trentham East VIC 3458
Contributing Artist for the The Print Exposed at Gold Street Studios. Features work from Australian as well as international artists. Work on display includes; albumen, carbon, copperplate photogravure, gum bichromate, gumboil, lith, chrysotype, new cyanotype, mordançage, photogravure, platinum/palladium, salt, silver gelatin and ziatypes
The Print Exposed, 2019
Sheltered place, 2018
Silver gelatin print on 300gsm fibre paper
3 unique prints / 2 Available
Exhibition: Quiet Time: Above Savage River
11th December - 13th January 2019
Angela Robarts-Bird Gallery. Gasworks Arts Park, Albert Park Cnr Graham/Pickles Street VIC 3206
Solo exhibition, 22 framed works include: silver gelatin prints | pinhole camera images | large format & digital formats
