Interview with Matthew Morpheus
Serhii Matveichenko, also known as Matthew Morpheus, is a visual artist born in Ukraine. During his career he received several international awards (including Beijing, Moscow and New York)
Matthew Morpheus is known for his unique style, in which he combines graphics, collage and specific types of aerosol paints. It is important to note, that his art works fully convey the atmosphere of the New Age concept of the 21st century with unique cultural diversity and unusual genres and ideas.
Your art is renowned for its deep emotional resonance and rich storytelling. Can you elaborate on your creative process and how you channel your emotions into your abstract works? How do you craft narratives through the use of your unique mediums such as gelly roll pens and fluorescent cosmic landscapes, and what stories are you particularly passionate about telling through your art?
My creative process begins with a deep dive into my emotions and experiences.
A person can display only one emotion on his face - fear, joy, sorrow, sympathy. But at heart, a person has many faces. All intertwined experiences, from love to hatred, create the most important feeling located in the recesses of his soul. And her name is Zero Emotion. And my task is to capture exactly this, the most important emotion, in the life of each of us.
Using gel pens and spray paints allows me to create unique textures and effects that enhance the emotional impact of my art works. Gel pens allow me to carefully detail small elements, adding depth and complexity, and aerosol paints create bright, almost cosmic landscapes that transport the viewer to another world. Collages make it possible to recreate the multidimensionality of perception of the world on a limited plane of space.
The narratives in my works are often associated with themes of internal search, self-identification and human interaction with the outside world.
I love telling stories about travel - both external and internal. For example, one of my favorite themes is space exploration as a metaphor for self-exploration. In my paintings you can see elements that symbolize the dreams, hopes and fears that we all experience.
Each work is a kind of visual diary, in which I share my thoughts and feelings. I hope my paintings will help viewers resonate with their own experiences and inspire them to pursue creative paths.
Innovation seems to be a cornerstone of your artistic practice, with your work often blending traditional techniques with contemporary elements. Can you discuss some of the most innovative approaches or techniques you have developed or adopted in your art? How do you balance experimentation with maintaining the core essence of your artistic identity?
Innovation really plays a key role in my creative practice. I strive to combine traditional techniques with modern elements to create unique and expressive work. Here are some innovative approaches and techniques that I have developed or implemented in my art:
Using mixed media: I often combine different materials and techniques such as painting, installation and digital art. This allows me to create multi-layered and multi-faceted pieces that can be interpreted in many different ways.
Interactive elements: in some of my works, viewers can interact with the work, adding a new level of involvement and allowing them to be part of the creative process.
Experimenting with form and space: I like to play with form and space. Creating works that change the viewer’s perception and evoke new emotions and thoughts.
Experimenting with new methods and approaches, I strive to maintain my unique artistic style and voice, ensuring that my work remains recognizable and authentic.
As an artist whose work spans multiple cultures and geographies, from Ukraine to Israel to the UK, what legacy do you hope to leave behind? How do you envision your art influencing future generations of artists and the broader cultural landscape?
As an artist whose work spans many cultures and geographies, from Ukraine to Israel, Germany to the UK, I hope to leave a legacy that will serve as a bridge between different cultures and peoples. My art strives to inspire people to understand and respect diversity by showing that beauty and meaning can be found in every corner of the world.
I believe that my art can influence future generations of artists by inspiring them to explore and integrate different cultural elements into their work. This will help create a richer and more diverse cultural landscape where every voice is heard and valued. Hope, that my works will serve as a reminder of the importance of cultural exchange and mutual understanding, contributing to the creation of a more harmonious and interconnected world.
The advent of NFTs has sparked significant debate within the art world, particularly regarding the coexistence and potential synergies between digital and traditional art forms. What is your perspective on the future of art in the digital age? How do you see NFTs and traditional art complementing each other, and what challenges and opportunities do you foresee in this evolving landscape?
Several years ago I already gave an interview to Bytom, a company developing a NFT platform for international artists.
The NFT technology itself is truly unique and interesting. It is widely used in the gaming and media industry. But we all understand that the market itself is not regulated. It's very similar to the "DOTCOM BUBBLE" existing from approximately 1995 to 2001. NFTs themselves are currently not backed by anything other than the hype around them. This is a simple assumption. Pyramid. After all, you can create a huge number of NFTs of the same type and sell them on various platforms. And, as soon as they are sold, create as many more and so on.
I went much further in my research on this topic...
I believe that NFTs should be backed by the reputation of the artist, a competent plan to protect clients from price reductions. As well as providing holders of this type of art with certain privileges and bonuses. For example, this could be visiting exclusive exhibitions. Or the right to exchange the holder of such an NFT for the actual 2D works of the artist.
NFTs and traditional art can complement each other beautifully. NFTs allow artists to create and sell unique digital works that can exist in virtual space, while traditional art continues to have its place in the physical world. This interaction expands the boundaries of creativity and allows artists to experiment with new forms and media.
Overall, I believe that digital technology and NFTs provide unique opportunities for artists, allowing them to reach global audiences and experiment with new forms of expression. This is a time of great change and I'm excited to see how art will evolve in this new digital landscape.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of your art? Are there any particular goals or ambitions you have set for yourself in the coming years? Additionally, can you share insights into any current or upcoming projects that excite you and reflect your ongoing evolution as an artist?
Looking forward, I see the future of my art as continuing to explore and integrate different cultural elements and technologies. My goal is to create work that is not only visually impressive, but also deeply meaningful, evoking thought and emotion in viewers.
In the coming years, I plan to focus on several key areas:
Development of Digital Art and NFTs: I intend to continue to explore the possibilities of digital art and NFTs, creating unique works that can exist in both virtual and physical space. This will allow me to reach a wider audience and experiment with new forms of expression.
Installation Projects: I have many unrealized ideas for installations and introducing new experimental techniques into my art.
Cultural projects and collaborations: since I am also a member of the group Abandoned Artist, UK, we actively cooperate with various foundations and we have long-term plans for the development and creation of socially significant and interesting projects.
I am also working on a series of digital collages that explore contemporary social and economic issues. These works reflect my desire to explore complex topics and challenges, that our society faces.
I also take part in several international exhibitions, where I will present my new works and share my vision of the future of art. So go to my website and follow the updates on Instagram. It will be interesting. )
I look forward to continuing to grow as an artist and contribute to the cultural landscape by inspiring and connecting people through art.
Your work is described as a cosmopolitan dialogue, rich with symbolism and profound meaning. How have your diverse living experiences in Ukraine, Israel, and the United Kingdom influenced your artistic voice? Can you share specific examples of how these cultural influences manifest in your art?
My life's journey, spanning Ukraine, Germany, Israel and the UK, has significantly influenced my creativity. Each of these countries brought unique elements to my art, enriching it with symbolism and deep meaning. I was exposed to a variety of cultures and religions, which is reflected in my work through the use of symbols and motifs. Thus, my cosmopolitan experience allows me to create works that are a dialogue between different cultures and eras, enriching them with symbolism and deep meaning.
As a philosopher of your time, your art mirrors the complexities and contrasts of the 21st century. How do your philosophical views shape your artistic expression? Can you discuss any specific philosophical concepts that you explore through your work, and how these ideas are translated visually?
As an artist and philosopher of the 21st century, my work is deeply intertwined with my philosophical views. I believe that art is a powerful medium to explore and express the complexities and contrasts of our time. My artistic expression is shaped by several key philosophical concepts:
1. New Age Concept: My work often reflects the cultural diversity and unique genres of the 21st century. This concept is about embracing the new cultural dynamics and the fusion of different artistic styles and ideas.
2. Zero Emotion: This idea is central to my digital collages. It represents the multifaceted nature of human emotions. While a person might display a single emotion outwardly, internally, they experience a complex mix of feelings. My collages aim to evoke a range of emotions in the viewer, prompting them to reflect on their place in the world and their purpose.
3. Abstractionism: I have developed two techniques in abstractionism, which allow me to explore and express philosophical ideas in a non-representational form. This approach helps to convey deeper meanings and emotions that go beyond the literal and the obvious.
4. Philosophy of the XXI Century: My book, "Philosophy of the XXI Century: On the Other Side of Truth," delves into contemporary philosophical issues and how they relate to art. This work influences my artistic practice by providing a theoretical framework for my visual explorations.
Through these concepts, I strive to create art that not only reflects the external world but also delves into the inner states of being, challenging viewers to engage with the deeper layers of meaning and emotion.
Your art is filled with rich symbolism and narratives that reflect contemporary themes. How do you select the symbols and themes that appear in your work? Can you discuss a piece that is particularly significant to you and the story or message it conveys?
As an artist, I always strive to ensure that my work reflects the complex and multi-layered aspects of the modern world. The symbols and themes I choose often arise from my personal experiences, observations, and in-depth analysis of current events and cultural trends. I try to use symbols which can evoke strong emotions in the viewer and make them think about their place in the world.
One of the most significant works for me is "New Gods". In this digital collage, I used a variety of symbols to convey the idea of how technology and globalization affects our lives. In the center of the composition is a figure surrounded by digital age symbols such as cryptocurrencies and pixels, symbolizing our dependence on technology. This work is intended to provoke reflection in the viewer about how we interact with the world and each other in the era of digitalization.
Your art has received international acclaim, from Beijing to New York. How has the global reception of your work influenced your artistic journey? Are there particular reactions or interactions with audiences that have profoundly impacted you and your approach to creating art?
The international recognition of my work has had a significant impact on my creative path. The global reception of my works has opened new horizons for me and allowed me to look at my art from different cultural and social perspectives.
One of the most memorable moments was interacting with the audience in Beijing. There I saw how my work evoked deep emotional responses in viewers despite cultural differences. This got me thinking about how universal themes and emotions can be conveyed through art, regardless of geographical boundaries.
In New York I encountered a completely different audience, one that was more critical and analytical. This interaction helped me refine my techniques and approaches so that my work could withstand greater scrutiny and critical reception.
A particularly memorable incident was when one of the spectators in New York shared, how my work inspired him to create his own piece of art. This interaction was a source of great inspiration and motivation for me. It reminded me that art not only expresses my own thoughts and feelings, but can also be a catalyst for the creativity of others.
These international interactions and audience reactions helped me realize the importance of cultural exchange and understanding through art. They inspired me to continue experimenting and finding new ways of expression so that my work could resonate with people around the world.
