Matt McLean
Date of birth
1954
Place of birth
Nationality
Biography
Notes from the artist
15 October 2014
Background Notes
Although I had a playful interest in clay as a child, my formal art training didn’t include ceramics. As a student and over the late ‘70s, I was involved in experimental choreography and film making, which, I feel, continues to inform my work now.
After graduating in sculpture, I worked in partnership with my wife, Kate, on many ceramic projects. Together, in the early ‘80s, we produced large, wood-fired garden pots for a living, gradually shifting our focus back to sculpture in the late ‘80s. I’ve exhibited and taught widely, mostly in the Auckland area and received many awards. Recently I’ve been working on large outdoor projects and diverse smaller experimental works. I occasionally produce batches of functional domestic ware pottery. Currently, I’m working with my wife Kate on a large public art project connected to the new Clarkes Lane foot bridge , Hobsonville which incorporates 3 -Dimensional ceramic pieces and silkscreen printed tiles.
For many years I’ve participated in group exhibitions in outdoor venues as well as in galleries. Noteworthy among these have been Friends of Women’s Refuge two-yearly show, Ellerslie Flower Show and Riding for the Disabled, exhibition, Waitakere City. Such events provide my most regular means of showing now.
15 October 2014
Background Notes
Although I had a playful interest in clay as a child, my formal art training didn’t include ceramics. As a student and over the late ‘70s, I was involved in experimental choreography and film making, which, I feel, continues to inform my work now.
After graduating in sculpture, I worked in partnership with my wife, Kate, on many ceramic projects. Together, in the early ‘80s, we produced large, wood-fired garden pots for a living, gradually shifting our focus back to sculpture in the late ‘80s. I’ve exhibited and taught widely, mostly in the Auckland area and received many awards. Recently I’ve been working on large outdoor projects and diverse smaller experimental works. I occasionally produce batches of functional domestic ware pottery. Currently, I’m working with my wife Kate on a large public art project connected to the new Clarkes Lane foot bridge , Hobsonville which incorporates 3 -Dimensional ceramic pieces and silkscreen printed tiles.
For many years I’ve participated in group exhibitions in outdoor venues as well as in galleries. Noteworthy among these have been Friends of Women’s Refuge two-yearly show, Ellerslie Flower Show and Riding for the Disabled, exhibition, Waitakere City. Such events provide my most regular means of showing now.
