Meet Matt Gillett | Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matt Gillett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matt, why did you pursue a creative career?
I guess Art as a career wasn’t something that was encouraged from an early age. But the more my career path was forcibly steered away from Art, life had a way of pushing it back to. The signs were over time constant , until a one punch assault while managing a Sydney pub was like the frying pan of life hitting me over the head saying “do what you are ment to do” . Through my rehabilitation i understood the power of art for me and the power of art to help others . Knowing the impact for me and others it was time to pursue my art full time and i haven’t looked back . Life has a funny way of showing you the way if your open to it .

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art , sometimes it’s a series of mistakes until what i see makes sense. Other times it’s very much intentional. My art is juicy thick oils ,colour and texture , the expression of energy through faces , depth and distorted form. Each work conveying feeling and energy through the face . What i find most exciting is the growth in my work with every new painting. getting to were i am today wasn’t easy but show me any creative that says it was. i work hard to get what i want , and even then i sometimes don’t get what i want. If you want it get after it. Biggest lesson is , put yourself out there , enjoy what you do, not everyones going to love it and thats ok . What would i want the world to know about me or my art , thats a hard question. i suppose that my art is honest and to be liked and unliked both valid emotions , for my art to be discussed. and that i never gave up on expressing through art.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live on the South Coast of Sydney at Stanwell Park. Friday nights is Ullawattu Blue for best Indonesian this side of Indo. Coffees and bakery snacks from the girls at Husk Organics . once the belly is happy it’s pretty much just Surfing everyday from the Royal National Park south as far as we can get. Surf , Fish Eat rinse repeat .

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
For me to be were i am as a full time Artist, there has been some pivotal people along the way. Gabrielle Pool for fish hooking me into her Annandale studio and introducing me to oil paints thick and vibrant to this day is still my medium of choice. And encouraging the candle she saw into the red hot artistic flame it is today. Raymond Tuifao Lalatoa, for supporting me with my early solo art shows the gentle giant with a heart of gold.
Kate Edwards for taking a chance on my ideas and show concept and building a company to support me to get one of my biggest shows across the line, My Art Kills Monsters.
My folks for there support as free labour hire , wether carrying, equipment and works or art or building shows or re-painting venues and supporting my often wild outrageous ideas for my shows to be an experience and not just a show.
For my partner Becca Montalti for the constant support and encouragement my greatest fan and critic always poking and prodding to bring out my best work.
And to anyone who has taken the time to form an opinion both positive or negative. For those to be stopped from there busy lifestyles to form said opinion means as an artist ive evoked emotion and in my eyes doing my job.

Website: http://matthewgillett.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewgillettartist/