Paul Matthews

Painter

Born 10/28/1933, Princeton, New Jersey
Died 01/15/2019, Hamilton, New Jersey

Summary

“…My paintings are about people, their relationship to each other-or lack of it-and to the world… My paintings are an attempt to embody what I know.”
-Paul Matthews

Painter Paul Matthews did not paint portraits, he painted what he called “peoplescapes” and landscapes. Matthews worked primarily with oil on canvas, often beginning with a wiping technique, so that the light of the gesso ground is visible. Stylistically, he had been described as a post-abstract expressionist. He was very interested in capturing the true nature of his subjects, encompassing both the good and evil that exists in us all. Matthews’ paintings are narrative in nature; his groups of nudes, although often initially disturbing, draw the viewer into the story behind the image.

Matthews, who resided in Lambertville, attended Cooper Union Art School from 1957 to 1960, where he won the highest achievement prize. He taught at Gill/St. Bernard’s School and at Parsons School of Design. Matthews’ work has often encountered controversy. In 1968, three of his paintings were removed from the jury lounge in the Bucks County Courthouse in Doylestown because it was feared that they would be found controversial by their “captive” audience. Matthews exhibited locally at Phillips’ Mill and Riverrun Gallery. He participated in group shows with local artists Charles Wells and George Anthonisen.

His work was shown in Doylestown, PA at the Michener Art Museum in the exhibition entitled Shifting Ground: Contemporary Landscapes by Paula Chamlee, Alan Goldstein and Paul Matthews (2008-2009).

Paul Matthews. Image courtesy of the artist. James A. Michener Art Museum.