Matt Arbuckle

Matt Arbuckle is an emerging Auckland painter who since graduating with honours in a Bachelor of Design, has taken his work around the country exhibiting in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch showcasing his unique painting style.

In 2009 Matt was awarded 1^st runner up at the Wallace Art Trust Awards and has continued to attract interest from industry professionals and creative’s alike. Matt recently launched Rhubarb Lane’s newest creative hub, Ninety Gallery with his solo exhibition “Periscope Dots”. Concrete Playground catches up with Matt to unravel the daily grind behind being an artist in Auckland City.

Most days you will find me at my studio shed 8, in Auckland City central- feel like I live here.

When I'm not there the first place to look would be Ninety Gallery a few sheds down from the studio, but usually if I am no where to be seen I am out on the boat with a couple of mates. Lately we have been going over to Waiheke Island for a cliff jump.

At the moment I am drawing, getting sorted for a group show coming up with Pete Malone and Hadley Hodgkinson due to open June 22nd at Ninety Gallery

I'm inspired by German painting / neo-expressionism; people like Albert Oehlen, Neo Rauch, Georg Baselitz and Daniel Richter are real painters that are not afraid of pushing the paint around. Their works hold action, energy and a sense of process.

If money wasn't an issue I would be travelling through Europe, definitely making a long stop over in the Greek Islands. I would travel indefinitely staying near the coast in the summer and snowboarding through Canada or Swaziland in winter.

Being an artist in Auckland so far is awesome, I love the life style. I don’t have too many commitments at this stage in my life, so the artist hustle hasn’t really kicked in. I would say I am still pretty unknown in the bigger picture, so I am really working on getting out there and being recognized within the scene. I have got a few jobs that I juggle to pay the rent but I still regard painting as my full time job.

I secretly love Cup cakes, although it is not really a secret. Livi who works in my studio occasionally makes a batch of cup cakes for the studio crew. She has got the recipe on lock down, chocolate or ginger with cream cheese icing!