Matt Moriarty Bio - 2020 Environmental and cultural sustainability are key undercurrents in Matt Moriarty’s practice.

Matt was born on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island in the small coastal town of Greymouth. He studied design at the Victoria University of Wellington & Massey University of Wellington, completing his bachelor's degree in 1999, and more recently undertaken postgraduate studies in fine art, graduating in 2017 with an advanced diploma in painting. He has worked in the creative sector in New Zealand and Australia as a graphic designer and mentored art and design at tertiary level.

Earlier artworks of Moriarty's examine cultural iconography from the viewpoint of a concern for their multi-cultural desaturation, commercialisation and pop appropriation. Here, he mixes traditional cultural objects with design icons such as the Helvetica typeface and the Swiss Army Knife, in a clean graphic style reflective of his vocational background. 

Since his return to his roots in Aotearoa New Zealand’s South Island, Moriarty’s focus has shifted more towards his appreciation and concern for the natural environment. The graphic style however remains strong. Bone Park (2011) examines the role of New Zealand’s National Parks in regards to cultural identity and environmental change. A piece within this series, titled Suture, was a recipient of merit at the 2011 Waikato National Contemporary Art Awards and exhibited at the Waikato Museum.

With Certain Exceptions (2018) speculates on a written fragment of the Maruia Declaration, a petition signed by over 300,000 conservation activists in 1977 to put an end to mass commercial logging of New Zealand's native forests.

His work investigates how holism and reductionism of pictorial elements effect the perception of an image. He currently lives and works from his home studio in Kaikoura, New Zealand.

Representation

Kura Gallery

47A Heu Heu Street , Taupo
Ph: 07 377 4068
www.kura.co.nz

Paperworks Gallery

268 Clifton Road, Te Awanga, Hastings 4102
Ph: 027 450 7517
www.paper-works.co.nz

Red Gallery

1 Bridge St, Nelson
Ph: 03 548 2170
www.redartgallery.com

New Zealand Fine Prints

Online
www.prints.co.nz