Fine Art 2nd place winner

These images are from my series: ‘The Life of Birds’. This project is about creating a connection between the viewer and the natural world through an understanding of both artistic tools as well as psychology.

The images tap into our inherent need to connect with nature and encourage the viewer to spend time exploring the beauty and character of the birds. My use of anthropomorphism in the apparent social structures of the birds forces the viewer’s mind to project its own opinion of what drama might be unfolding, making the image a very personal and unique experience.

The images are influenced by both 19th-century natural history illustrations and old master painters. Some of my influences include the rules of composition from Rubens, Chiaroscuro from Caravaggio, and the feeling of lush vegetation from Rousseau.

My work blends reality and fiction, it is not a clear account of events but rather a story that you might recount to your friend: full of emotion, exaggerations, and embellishments and all the more beautiful for it.

Each image is meticulously constructed using multiple elements that are individually photographed and carefully composed.

Matthew is a photographer whose work focuses on the natural world and aims to create a sense of wonder and curiosity.

He spent the first 18 years of his life living in Afghanistan, Kenya, India, and Thailand, so it is no wonder that his themes often reflect the topical animals and vegetation that he was surrounded by during his formative years.

Matthew studied design at Brunel University before choosing photography as an instrument to express his creative ideas. He spent two and a half years working for and being mentored by world-renowned animal photographer and artist Tim Flach.

Matthew’s inspiration comes from 19th-century natural history illustrators as well as old master painters. His bookcase overflows with reference material from the high Renaissance through to modern-day artists. He uses rules of composition from Rubens, Chiaroscuro from Caravaggio, and the feeling of lush vegetation from Rousseau.

Images from his current project 'The Life of Birds' are currently being exhibited in the Dong Gang Museum of Photography (Korea) and will be exhibited in Sydney at the Head On Photo Festival in November 2023.