Matthew Barber

Matthew's practice draws inspiration from the bitter chalky Scottish Highlands and Islands in juxtaposition with the scattered and scratched beaches that inhabit them. The industrial materials that can be found throughout Matthew's work have been influenced by the machine-made components found in Scottish shipping yards and fishing towns. These manufactured off-cuts lie harmoniously amongst luxurious hand-treated silks and wools. Matthew's dedication to his craft can be recognised through his hand-rendered techniques, inclusive of traditional dying, screen printing and hand painting directly onto cloth. Colour plays a key role in Matthew's work, developing palettes from film photography which he captured on his travels around Scotland, and spends time developing a wide range of rich sandy tones which he transfers to his dying and printing techniques.