Victor Matthews: Mantra

Kelly-McKenna Gallery is proud to announce Victor Matthews: Mantra, a solo exhibition of works by American painter and sculptor Victor Matthews. Opening on March 13 and running through April 13, the exhibition is presented in partnership with Space Gallery St Barth and showcases Matthews’ unique approach to abstraction and memory through his deeply meditative artistic process.

At the heart of the exhibition is Matthews’ own philosophy: “My paintings start with charcoal drawings, applied directly on each linen canvas as one continuous stream of consciousness, never lifting the charcoal off the canvas until each thought is complete.” This quote forms the foundation of the exhibition, inviting viewers into an intimate dialogue between artistic spontaneity and deliberate craftsmanship.

Mantra draws parallels with artists like Hilma af Klint, whose practice of automatic writing sought to channel subconscious and spiritual connections through visual expression. Matthews’ work similarly embraces the flow of intuition, capturing fleeting yet profound moments in time and space. His compositions, often inspired by the urban and natural landscapes of his native New York City, evoke a sense of rhythm and introspection, resonating with themes of memory, identity, and transformation.

The exhibition also ties into the broader themes explored in Kelly-McKenna Gallery’s recent programming. Much like the gallery’s celebrated Endless Summer exhibition, Mantra invites viewers to slow down and engage deeply with the overlooked beauty of our world. Matthews’ intricate interplay of form and material reflects the transient yet profound experiences of everyday life, encouraging a renewed appreciation for the delicate balance of permanence and impermanence.

As part of the exhibition, Kelly-McKenna Gallery will host a series of special events, including an artist talk with Victor Matthews and a collaborative live drawing session inspired by the principles of stream-of-consciousness art.