Tomorrow night, at 323 East, artist Matt Eaton presents an exhibition of new work. It's his first solo show. Matt is the brother of acclaimed pop/street artful icon Tristan Eaton (Thunderdog Studios) who now works out of New York, and though both bros have been influenced by graffiti, that much is apparent, their approach to the canvas is entirely individual.
"All of my paintings contain multiple layers, some up to 40 different color compositions and surfaces. I paint over everything, constantly, until I find a place that satisfies me," Matt says of his method. "Many of the layers are text, plays on quotes that I love or hate, lines in movies, and personal thoughts."
Eaton designs all the typography and letters by hand, then he cuts stencils of them to spray through. Each new layer might consist of several colors that, when sanded away, reveal new colors and textures.
"The whole experience for me is to create, destroy, create, destroy, and create," Eaton says. "I always include floral patterns I'm obsessed with. For me the floral design represents a superficial part of me (or anyone). You see it quite obviously from a distance and may think it's pretty, just a pattern or something, but upon further inspection you see that there is more going on behind the scenes; more texture, color, shapes, words. I guess it's self exploration in a way, but it can also be me viewing other people, finding more than the face value and being fascinated with what's underneath."
And there is always something more to discover, as much in any lover as there is with any stranger.
I Think We Could Get Along - New works by Matt Eaton: Artist reception is Saturday Nov. 6 (tomorrow!!!) from 6 to 11 p.m. at 323 East Gallery, located at 323 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak (click for map).
