UWS Sculpture Award and Exhibition 2012 - Art Gallery - University ...

Matt GoddenArtist StatementFrom the first sluice gate in an irrigation ditch, to the modernindustrial world, or the vessels of our circulatory system,the valve is a concept that for me, captures a fundamentalstructure within life.Its purpose is to restrict or block that which passesthrough it, yet in doing so, it enables whatever it is restricting.It is an adversity device, the challenge against whichsuccesses are measured, the setback against which weaim higher, limitation in all of its forms which inspires ourgreatest achievements.This valve is neat, a clean example of industrial-strengthcontrol and protection. It supports a corroded pipe, whichleft in the elements will corrode further, until it is replaced bynew sections which can begin the corrosion cycle anew.Looking through the pipe, the half-moon view created by thevalve’s partially closed gate, occludes and frames whatevervista the work is oriented towardsArtist BiographyMatt’s background is in design, teaching design, and writingand illustrating graphic novels. After experiencing the sort ofevent that causes a person to reassess their life, he enrolledin the National Art School, completing his sculpture majorin 2011.Solo Exhibitions2010 Nervous Spaces, Xavier Artspace, St Vincent’sHospitalGroup Exhibitions2011 Graduation Show, National Art SchoolWe Love Art, St Vincent’s Hospital fundraiser2010 Heavy Metal, Stairwell Gallery, National Art School2009 Supanova Popculture Expo, Sydney2007 Supanova Popculture Expo, BrisbaneSydney Writer’s Festival Zine FairSupanova Popculture Expo, Sydney2006 Supanova Popculture Expo, SydneyAwards & Residencies2011 Sydney Olympic Park Artist-in-Residence Sculptureprize, National Art School2009 FONAS Second Year Art History & Theory Prize,National Art School2002 Cultural Diversity & Harmony Digital Arts & MediaPrize, Sydney Institute TAFECollectionsSt Vincent’s HospitalSt Vincent’s Private Clinic22