I'm Moving

to here,

http://matthewthompsonart.tumblr.com/

"Social Mobility"

 I have recently been reading a book called " CHAVS: Demonization of the Working Class" (check it out, it's great".

A few ideas were generated from reading this book, one such was the idea of "social mobility". On the bus fromt own I was staring blankly out of the windows and the quickly erected apartment blocks, and thought that these such structures were symbolic of the notion of upwards movement through class.

I used to think about heading to Uni, getting a "decent joB" and a nice flat in the city..

Now, I'm not as fussed.
Here's the basis of the work, and some of it produced;

With this painting I would like to include a witty phrase to finish it off, however as yet I am unsure how to do so. I'm thinking another piece of paper with the wording on, to be displayed next to the painting.


"There's room at the top..."

Whether I agree with the sentiment expressed in the book or the work, is for you to decide.

Matt

The Flaneur

"from the French verb flâner, which means "to stroll". Charles Baudelaire developed a derived meaning of flâneur—that of "a person who walks the city in order to experience it"

Paintings taken from my urban strolls;

As with previous work I've done this year, I looked to encorporate words into the work. The work below is an example of this. The painting shows a figure strolling through the city (The figure is me). Given the personal nature of this work, Oasis seemed the perfect fit. The city in question is Manchester, and i am going with the flow or "rolling with it". Furthermore, I have "Roll with it" tattooed on my person for personal reasoning, so this is arguabley even more apt. A more detailed and colourful example was done after this initial sketch, and I will try my best to upload it when i can.

Work on board

Since starting painting properly at about 17 I've been encouraged to move away from working on paper. Usually I ignored the advice, but with 6years experience and maybe a bit of confidence I've taken the jump into working on board.
 
A few of these are for sale in Galleries at the moment, here's some photos of my first efforts on board. As ever click the pictures to see them larger. Enjoy:

 

Building Work, Man Met

Didsbury Village Twilight

From Sheffield City Hall

View from McDonald's, Fallowfield

Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds (Night)

Recent works

A couple of paintings I've recently done for a recent commission I have undertaken;

Aldgate East Tube, Rain

Aldgate East Tube, Gherkin Building

And a couple a little closer to home;

Mancunian Way, near Oxford Road

High Street Northern Quarter (Bluu Bar)

I also recently took part in an Art Market back in Huddersfield, which allowed me a couple of pieces to be displayed in the Huddersfield Art Gallery. Here's one;

Norman Bar, Leeds

Riot & Protest

It's been a while so I thought it was time for an update. My work at Uni at the moment is based upon the idea of riots, protests, disorder, and revolt. It started from my interest in football Ultras, and has morphed away from the theme of football.

In tandem with my paintings, I have also been making a couple of flags that I hope to display soon.

Here's some of the paintings;

Manchester Riots 1

Manchester Riots 2

Paris Riots sketch

Paris May 1968, Canvas

Valeria Sykes Prize.

The other day I received the brilliant new that I was successful in my application for the Valeria Sykes prize. The exhibition will run for at least 3 months, and will represent the work of up and coming northern artists, between the ages of 23-35.
I only really applied on a whim as I only got into the age bracket by a matter of days.
I went to the gallery in harrogate where my work will be shown, and was taken-a-back about how posh it was.

Here's more info about the exhibition.

http://www.newlights.org.uk/prize

Watercolour.

The following sketches are just a few simple pencil drawings worked on top with charcoal pencils, ink, and watercolours. The picture of my housemate was not him doing a sexy pose, no matter how Titanic-esque it looks.

View from above Printworks

View from flat-mates window

Jonny, flatmate

Experimentation, thunder clouds

New Sketches.

Man

Living room window

View from flat-mates window

In Didsbury park

Man at bar

View from flat-mates window, again

Mess in bedroom

The football I know...

So, the past 2 weeks or so I've been working hard (ish) for my big hand in today. I had a re-sit as I missed one of my assessments last year, however it's given me something to do this summer.
I was again focusing on football and flag work, but attempting to move away from vague football commentaries and more toward my personal relationship with attending games.
I experimented with the use of fabric dye, that can be ironed from newsprint, onto certain fabrics.
Here's a flag I made. 

The wording is something I wrote myself, and the image has been added to with paint and ink.

The football I know is all but dead, all that remains is in my head.