BlackRatPress
Art Gallery
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June 2006
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by BlackRatPress on Mar 16, 2009 16:15:32 GMT 1, Black Rat is delighted to announce a solo exhibition by award winning painter Matthew Small. Matts latest body of work Youngstarrs is an exploration on the themes of youth and hope.
'Each and everyone of us has a story, and all our stories begin in our childhood. The show focuses on the young child as an everlasting symbol of hope and seeks to illustrate the innate potential in each and every one of us. Looking at the guy on the street I wonder what happened in that persons life whilst growing up, what events shaped his outlook on life. Why is he where he is in the journey of life. Invariably when we look at the young child on the street we can wonder what lies ahead of them, what will the future bring? With all the media talk of rising youth crime, underage drinking and sex in broken Britain we can feel a sense of foreboding, and despair. But in each child there is hope present. The fact is though that a young person around the age of 6 becomes exposed to the World, the parent finds their ability to shield the young child from subversive influences weakening. Friends at school, television, internet, life in general begins to infiltrate and inform the receptive mind of the child. We see all these influences far more in the teenage years, where conscious decisions are made by an individual on how they wish to conduct themselves, and how they wish to be seen. The show will feature a series of portraits of these young kids, at stages in there lives where the world is challenging their innocence, where we as adults ask what does the future have in store for them. Juxtaposed with the images of the children, are portraits of older youth, at a stage in their journeys where they are living within the troubles of modern society. All these young people will have to navigate lifes obstacles, but contained within them is that innate potential to survive through life and not to be extinguished. The paintings seek to illustrate the fact that no matter what is happening around them, there is still hope in our youth'- Matt Small March 2009
Matt Small is an artist whose painting is best understood as an extension of his beliefs and world view. Matt is a passionate believer in social inclusion and that, given the opportunities to be heard and respected, all individuals have something of value to contribute to society. The subject matter of Matts portraits tends to be the marginalized and voiceless in society, those who are socially excluded and often viewed as statistics or pawns in a wider political game as opposed to individuals with the latent potential to contribute and enrich society if only given the opportunity to be heard. By painting portraits of individuals on the outskirts of society, often young black men, Matt encourages us to spend time with people who we may chose to overlook in our daily lives and in doing so forces us to challenge our prejudices and recognize our shared humanity
Not content with dealing with such issues only on a conceptual level through his painting, Matt is actively involved in working with the socially excluded. His most recent project - Hope in Life - involved running a series of workshops where mentally ill, homeless and educationally excluded young people came together on a weekly basis alongside established artists to express themselves through painting and music. The project was a huge success culminating in an exhibition at Black Rat Press. The money raised at the show will help make Hope in Life an annual project.
Matt Small graduated from the Royal College of Art and his unique style of portraiture has gained him a huge following and widespread critical acclaim.
He was runner up in the BP portrait award and winner of the Villers David prize. His work is in numerous collections worldwide including the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Youngstarrs previews on March 26th from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. The exhibition continues until April 17th.
Black Rat is delighted to announce a solo exhibition by award winning painter Matthew Small. Matts latest body of work Youngstarrs is an exploration on the themes of youth and hope.
'Each and everyone of us has a story, and all our stories begin in our childhood. The show focuses on the young child as an everlasting symbol of hope and seeks to illustrate the innate potential in each and every one of us. Looking at the guy on the street I wonder what happened in that persons life whilst growing up, what events shaped his outlook on life. Why is he where he is in the journey of life. Invariably when we look at the young child on the street we can wonder what lies ahead of them, what will the future bring? With all the media talk of rising youth crime, underage drinking and sex in broken Britain we can feel a sense of foreboding, and despair. But in each child there is hope present. The fact is though that a young person around the age of 6 becomes exposed to the World, the parent finds their ability to shield the young child from subversive influences weakening. Friends at school, television, internet, life in general begins to infiltrate and inform the receptive mind of the child. We see all these influences far more in the teenage years, where conscious decisions are made by an individual on how they wish to conduct themselves, and how they wish to be seen. The show will feature a series of portraits of these young kids, at stages in there lives where the world is challenging their innocence, where we as adults ask what does the future have in store for them. Juxtaposed with the images of the children, are portraits of older youth, at a stage in their journeys where they are living within the troubles of modern society. All these young people will have to navigate lifes obstacles, but contained within them is that innate potential to survive through life and not to be extinguished. The paintings seek to illustrate the fact that no matter what is happening around them, there is still hope in our youth'- Matt Small March 2009
Matt Small is an artist whose painting is best understood as an extension of his beliefs and world view. Matt is a passionate believer in social inclusion and that, given the opportunities to be heard and respected, all individuals have something of value to contribute to society. The subject matter of Matts portraits tends to be the marginalized and voiceless in society, those who are socially excluded and often viewed as statistics or pawns in a wider political game as opposed to individuals with the latent potential to contribute and enrich society if only given the opportunity to be heard. By painting portraits of individuals on the outskirts of society, often young black men, Matt encourages us to spend time with people who we may chose to overlook in our daily lives and in doing so forces us to challenge our prejudices and recognize our shared humanity
Not content with dealing with such issues only on a conceptual level through his painting, Matt is actively involved in working with the socially excluded. His most recent project - Hope in Life - involved running a series of workshops where mentally ill, homeless and educationally excluded young people came together on a weekly basis alongside established artists to express themselves through painting and music. The project was a huge success culminating in an exhibition at Black Rat Press. The money raised at the show will help make Hope in Life an annual project.
Matt Small graduated from the Royal College of Art and his unique style of portraiture has gained him a huge following and widespread critical acclaim.
He was runner up in the BP portrait award and winner of the Villers David prize. His work is in numerous collections worldwide including the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Youngstarrs previews on March 26th from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. The exhibition continues until April 17th.
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babyford
New Member
Posts โข 635
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June 2007
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by babyford on Mar 16, 2009 16:20:58 GMT 1, Good stuff - Been looking forward to this one
Good stuff - Been looking forward to this one
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by manchestermike on Mar 16, 2009 16:21:35 GMT 1, Show of the year very possibly
Show of the year very possibly
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by cashman on Mar 16, 2009 16:22:41 GMT 1, looking forward to this !
looking forward to this !
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skelly
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Posts โข 616
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February 2008
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by skelly on Mar 16, 2009 16:23:43 GMT 1, Can't wait to see the pictures for this event.. I'm a big fan and I think his work is very progressive, gets better each show
Can't wait to see the pictures for this event.. I'm a big fan and I think his work is very progressive, gets better each show
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by sand on Mar 16, 2009 18:41:17 GMT 1, A show not to be missed! Really looking forward to this one.
A show not to be missed! Really looking forward to this one.
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timba82
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,592
Likes โข 12
March 2008
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by timba82 on Mar 16, 2009 18:47:41 GMT 1, defo count me in on this one. wouldnt miss this 1 for the world!!
defo count me in on this one. wouldnt miss this 1 for the world!!
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linkd95
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,034
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July 2008
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by linkd95 on Mar 16, 2009 19:25:08 GMT 1, Im definately going, ive been to all of Black Rat Press's shows from 2008
Im definately going, ive been to all of Black Rat Press's shows from 2008
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dotdot
Junior Member
Posts โข 3,645
Likes โข 1,025
December 2006
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by dotdot on Mar 16, 2009 19:49:12 GMT 1, cough cough.. yes - I'll be there...
for a bit...
with a cough and probably not a lot of money.
just one . for me would do it...
cough cough.. yes - I'll be there...
for a bit...
with a cough and probably not a lot of money.
just one . for me would do it...
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timba82
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,592
Likes โข 12
March 2008
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by timba82 on Mar 16, 2009 20:15:47 GMT 1, dot dot.....i'm not sure if there will be a print released or an etching either for that matter if thats what you meant. its just a gut feeling....
dot dot.....i'm not sure if there will be a print released or an etching either for that matter if thats what you meant. its just a gut feeling....
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neale
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,585
Likes โข 2
December 2008
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by neale on Mar 16, 2009 21:50:51 GMT 1, Will be a great show, cant wait, Matt is one of the nicest blokes you'll ever meet
Will be a great show, cant wait, Matt is one of the nicest blokes you'll ever meet
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Rourke
Artist
Junior Member
Posts โข 3,214
Likes โข 443
September 2007
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by Rourke on Mar 16, 2009 21:53:38 GMT 1, Yep it will be a cracker
Yep it will be a cracker
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Sacked...
Full Member
Posts โข 7,978
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October 2007
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by Sacked... on Mar 16, 2009 22:02:30 GMT 1, Same night as the Guy Denning show at signal.
Same night as the Guy Denning show at signal.
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by Coach on Mar 16, 2009 22:42:00 GMT 1, MM - I agree - could well be the show of the year. Huge talent, and top bloke too. Can feel a shiver of excitment about this show already! c
MM - I agree - could well be the show of the year. Huge talent, and top bloke too. Can feel a shiver of excitment about this show already! c
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by graeme501 on Mar 17, 2009 0:04:46 GMT 1, no doubt this will be amazing, its going to be my show of the year anyway
no doubt this will be amazing, its going to be my show of the year anyway
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kahuna
New Member
Posts โข 378
Likes โข 1
February 2008
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by kahuna on Mar 17, 2009 4:58:36 GMT 1, This is one I definitely have to fly back to London for.
This is one I definitely have to fly back to London for.
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welikestatic
New Member
Posts โข 144
Likes โข 36
November 2011
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by welikestatic on Mar 19, 2009 17:27:51 GMT 1, looking forward to this !
yep should be good.
looking forward to this ! yep should be good.
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RYCA
Artist
New Member
Posts โข 717
Likes โข 129
September 2007
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by RYCA on Mar 19, 2009 19:10:45 GMT 1, LOOKS KILLER... FROM WHAT I SNEAKED A PEAK AT!
LOOKS KILLER... FROM WHAT I SNEAKED A PEAK AT!
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skanky
New Member
Posts โข 887
Likes โข 60
August 2007
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by skanky on Mar 19, 2009 19:49:12 GMT 1, Hope there is more 3D work in the show.
Hope there is more 3D work in the show.
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by graeme501 on Mar 19, 2009 22:37:43 GMT 1, so who is going to this? im pulling 12 hour days in uni so i can get enough work done to be able to make this for a day, but im coming down on my own and dont fancy standing on my own for the whole night
so who is going to this? im pulling 12 hour days in uni so i can get enough work done to be able to make this for a day, but im coming down on my own and dont fancy standing on my own for the whole night
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Sacked...
Full Member
Posts โข 7,978
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October 2007
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by Sacked... on Mar 20, 2009 0:29:47 GMT 1, Im going,not sure what time though as i want to meet Guy Denning and not sure what time he will be there till.
Im going,not sure what time though as i want to meet Guy Denning and not sure what time he will be there till.
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Guy Denning
Artist
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Posts โข 636
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July 2007
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by Guy Denning on Mar 20, 2009 8:47:13 GMT 1, Im going,not sure what time though as i want to meet Guy Denning and not sure what time he will be there till. I'll be there until the wine soaked end - mind you, how far is Black Rat from Signal? I might have to get down there at some point - who shuts the doors first?!
Im going,not sure what time though as i want to meet Guy Denning and not sure what time he will be there till. I'll be there until the wine soaked end - mind you, how far is Black Rat from Signal? I might have to get down there at some point - who shuts the doors first?!
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by manty on Mar 20, 2009 9:04:35 GMT 1, A wine soaked Guy and Matt collaboration
that should make an interesting picture :-)
A wine soaked Guy and Matt collaboration
that should make an interesting picture :-)
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by manchestermike on Mar 20, 2009 9:33:02 GMT 1, Gutted, already got something on that night that's been booked for ages
Gutted, already got something on that night that's been booked for ages
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Sacked...
Full Member
Posts โข 7,978
Likes โข 1,338
October 2007
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by Sacked... on Mar 20, 2009 10:32:50 GMT 1, Im going,not sure what time though as i want to meet Guy Denning and not sure what time he will be there till. I'll be there until the wine soaked end - mind you, how far is Black Rat from Signal? I might have to get down there at some point - who shuts the doors first?!
Dont think its far,maybe we can stagger/hold each other up and walk.
Im going,not sure what time though as i want to meet Guy Denning and not sure what time he will be there till. I'll be there until the wine soaked end - mind you, how far is Black Rat from Signal? I might have to get down there at some point - who shuts the doors first?! Dont think its far,maybe we can stagger/hold each other up and walk.
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hellothere
New Member
Posts โข 220
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July 2008
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by hellothere on Mar 20, 2009 11:03:18 GMT 1, really looking forward to this.
BRP is only round the corner from signal
really looking forward to this.
BRP is only round the corner from signal
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brenclan
New Member
Posts โข 89
Likes โข 34
November 2007
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by brenclan on Mar 20, 2009 17:28:46 GMT 1, I caught a sneak at the new pieces as they were being offloaded from the lorry when I popped in to BRP to pick up a piece I bought at the print show... and very impressive they looked as well. Some of them in particular are on quite a grand scale..
As for the piece I picked up, It's a lino on slate, a medium I really really like. Though needless to say that despite the jokes I threw Matt's way with regards to using the slate to replace a few broken tiles in the bathroom, the piece is now pride of place in my living room.
Incidently, apologies for the corrupted quality of the first piece; I'm terrible at photography (and even worse at photoshop), but couldn't resist trying to get a little of the background into the pic..
Here's a better close up..
I caught a sneak at the new pieces as they were being offloaded from the lorry when I popped in to BRP to pick up a piece I bought at the print show... and very impressive they looked as well. Some of them in particular are on quite a grand scale.. As for the piece I picked up, It's a lino on slate, a medium I really really like. Though needless to say that despite the jokes I threw Matt's way with regards to using the slate to replace a few broken tiles in the bathroom, the piece is now pride of place in my living room. Incidently, apologies for the corrupted quality of the first piece; I'm terrible at photography (and even worse at photoshop), but couldn't resist trying to get a little of the background into the pic.. Here's a better close up..
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annar50
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,952
Likes โข 398
May 2008
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by annar50 on Mar 20, 2009 17:40:53 GMT 1, i seen matt last saturday and had a quick chat with him, i did manage to get a sneak peek before the covers went over the work. he wouldn't like me take a few snaps which was a shame. you will not be disappointed ! 3 huge car bonnet pieces ,which look awesome!! as you walk in to brp
i seen matt last saturday and had a quick chat with him, i did manage to get a sneak peek before the covers went over the work. he wouldn't like me take a few snaps which was a shame. you will not be disappointed ! 3 huge car bonnet pieces ,which look awesome!! as you walk in to brp
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kahuna
New Member
Posts โข 378
Likes โข 1
February 2008
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by kahuna on Mar 20, 2009 19:50:13 GMT 1, If the image on the invite is any indicator, this is going to be an amazing show.
If the image on the invite is any indicator, this is going to be an amazing show.
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Deleted
Posts โข 0
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January 1970
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Matt Small 'Youngstarrs', by Deleted on Mar 25, 2009 1:46:38 GMT 1, who's going then?
Anybody got a Matt small painting for sale? Not a Linocut
who's going then?
Anybody got a Matt small painting for sale? Not a Linocut
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