Born in Devon, Matt has a strong affinity with the natural landscapes and coastlines of the South West. As a self-taught artist, his work has developed through exploring a painterly approach, combining traditional and representational elements with his contemporary, expressive style. Matt’s paintings evoke a vivid sense of place, often inspired by the effects of mood, light and atmosphere on coastal landforms. The Academy selected him as an Academician in January 2021.

My work is an exploration of the dynamic coastline, through the cycle of seasons and changing weather conditions. I strive to capture the nuanced interplay of coastal light and atmosphere, creating a representational yet emotive portrayal of nature. Inspiration comes from the powerful juxtaposition between constant and changing elements; fading light, shimmering water, ancient craggy landforms and beautiful bays. The ocean itself is eminently changeable, making it the perfect vehicle for carrying emotion in a painting.

Matt’s process involves developing small tonal sketches to make compositional decisions, before using oils on panel. He likes to explore the space between realism and semi-abstraction, simplifying and deconstructing form in varying degrees. Each visible mark is a deliberate choice, contributing to a painterly language, which invites the viewer to immerse themself in the ever-shifting beauty of the natural world.

www.matthoile.com