Matt Phillips: The Magic in His Prints

by Matt Phillips

Phillips is widely recognized as a master of the monotype. In its simplest terms, a monotype is an impression of a painting. A painting is done on a surface such as metal or plastic, and various effects can be achieved by wiping away parts of the paint with a cloth, leaving areas of whiteness for contrast or shading. A sheet of paper is then placed upon the painted and surface and pressure is applied by hand or via a printing press. Phillips uses the monotype to various effects. His depiction of beach scenes, with broad swaths of white evoke the blinding light of the shoreline; the swirling, breathy, and mottled textures in his depiction of a bouquet of flowers capture their fragility. Through teaching, writing, curating, and an unwavering devotion to the monotype as his primary medium, Phillips has played a critical role in spreading knowledge about the monotype as a graphic art form. The book from the exhibit also featured a series of drypoint prints, touching upon the artists' favorite subjects. The subjects that Phillips returns to, time and again, are scenes from his worldly travels-the bustle of open air markets in such places as Guatemala, Israel, and Morocco, and the rolling hills of Napa Valley and Montana. The artist also devotes entire print suites to the natural world-flowers, gardens, and virgin landscapes, sometimes with a sensuous presentation of the human figure in nature.

31 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2001

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