I first and foremost believe that the knowledge and capability of craft are essential tools for the implementation of any artists work. Thus, I strongly believe that training, especially through the apprenticeship of senior artists, is crucial for the livelihood and work of all contemporary artists and their training of future artists.
My work is a product of classical training and personal conceptual development. The focus of these two fields has been cultivated and nurtured through the observation and study of life. The particular characteristic of life in which I am most attracted towards is behavior and the evolutionary cohesion of all things. As a field of study within evolutionary theories I find that evolutionary psychology has inspired and educated my perspective most. Based on my experience, my focus on behavior and the certainty of our personification of the world around us, I consider myself a figurative artist.
The materials of my works and compositions began with a focus on stone, wood and metal. The basic elemental nature of these materials consciously evolved from simple expressions into recognizable forms, patterns and finally complex commentaries on life. I realize, however, that my dialogue with my audience would be forever restricted if I was ever to become satisfied with all the tools, materials, and ultimately ideas I possessed, so for that reason I strive to constantly learn and challenge myself to continue to craft the most diverse, informed and adaptive dialogue my work can offer.
It is my interest and passion as an artist to aid my audience with abstract yet informed experiences with art in the context of nature and particularly behavior. Scientist Edward O. Wilson spoke of the 'new synthesis' in 1975 with terms of our newly enlightened human understanding of the evolutionary biological world and our seamless inclusion within it. The new synthesis was a theoretical projection of a new era of the humanities, my work may be considered to belong in this now contemporary environment.
About Matthew Weir
Weir received his BFA from the Hite Art Institute at the University of Louisville in 2004. Weir’s classical training, however, evolved through concurrent apprenticeships with a distinguished line of artists and studios including, Paul Fields, Craig Kaviar, Raymond Graf and The Bright Foundry with whom Weir has been a sculptor and employee for over a decade. Weir states he not only prides himself on this diversity and those learned capabilities, but furthermore, sees within them the reciprocal responsibility he has to his work, his audience and his intellect because of them. Weir’s perspective is that of a trained artist and a student of natural history, within this view Matt strives to usher individual inquiry and perspective through the synthesis and presentation of his work, materials, and concepts.
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