We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Matthew Del Carmen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Matthew below.

Matthew, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My most meaningful project to date is unequivocally my most recent series of tribute paintings to my late mentor, Terry Reffell. For the most part, these paintings have been my only subject for the good part of 2024. My relationship with her was an intriguing one, her fire to create and satiate the eye burns relentlessly inside of me yet our personal relationship was not fully dissimilar to the rest of her students that had no ambition in the arts. She was truly an extraordinary woman. Energies would possess her and she had a reputation of ripping pencils out of her students’ hands to perform on their work herself. She had a much better understanding of my practice at the time than I did and her urgency to help actualize my ambitions was like that of a mother to her child. My time with her was painfully short but her influence on me is a constant. Attributing this latest body of work to her has allowed me to produce art that I’ve never felt as confident in and has set the precedent for the future of my practice for years to come.

Matthew, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Matthew Del Carmen, I am a Filipino-American artist from the Island of Guam. My work takes the form of representational mixed media “paintings,” with a significant drawing presence.

I got into this industry because I was fortunate enough to have been shown the logic in picking something that you have a knack for and pursuing it. Choosing to navigate through the environment that is NYC can be attributed to my parents.

I am of the belief that every artist has something unique to contribute. What I believe sets me apart from the rest, other than the lack of representation of my people in the contemporary art scene, is my use of media.

I don’t take too much pleasure in mulling unextraordinary accomplishments, though I would say that I take my greatest pride in my commitment to my practice. The main thing I would like to communicate to anyone that takes the time to look at my work is that I am fully encapsulated by each piece during the making.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There are many privileges that come with this line of work; the ability to play around with colors and feel productive, the typicality of requesting the attention of others, the praise towards your uniqueness. Personally, the most rewarding part of being an artist is the pursuit of discovery. A satisfying blend of imaginative contemplation and artisanal handiwork, produced in a way where everything is determined by the properties of the medium. The part in which I am only able to enjoy alone. In spite of this, I believe that when the maker is in search of a result that is unfamiliar, the viewer can get a sense of this. Even exposed only to the finished product, the struggle, the solving of the puzzle, the discovery, is embellished throughout the work.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I believe that the motivation for most aspiring artists is quite homogenous. I wouldn’t say that mine are separate from anyone else’s. We might not all feel as though our work is what’s missing from the art scene as I do. Becoming acquainted with the standard of contemporary art, anyone with a half-legitimate commitment to their practice has basis for feeling like some sort of an audience is deserved. I am fueled by the magic of the medium. The off-chance that a passerby might be struck with the energy of a still image assembled through layers of pigment, forced to in that moment become present, a second of alleviation from everyday life. This is enough to drive me to create.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/matthewdelcarmen
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits

Photographer for work: Faisal Sbitan