Upcoming artist-in-residence: Aaron Aryadharma Matheson

Aaron Aryadharma Matheson

Aaron Aryadharma Matheson is an artist who lives and works on Gadigal Wangal Land in the inner west of Sydney. He has been a finalist in the Mosman, Waverley and Waterhouse prizes, and awarded the Richard Ford travel award. He completed a year’s postgraduate diploma in drawing at the Prince’s Drawing School in London in 2007, and a Masters in Fine Art in 2018 at the National Art School, Sydney. Aaron is represented by Liverpool St Gallery, Sydney.

Aaron Aryadharma Matheson, 'Nursery of Stars' 2022, 

acrylic and mica pigment on canvas, 187 x 126.5 cm

" ... I paint in order to see myself more clearly, and to make sense of life. I use earth, metal, or mica pigments with acrylic binder. Applying paint to a surface, extends awareness (mind) into the liquid paint and the world beyond me. There is also an ‘archaeological’ process of rubbing back into the painting. I’m interested in the awareness and clarity that persists despite the presence of the paint, drips and slashes. ... "

Aaron Aryadharma Matheson, 'Galaxy', 2021,
acrylic paint and pale gold pigment on canvas, 187 x 152cm

" ... During my residency at Gunyah, I intend to make many small studies for two large-scale paintings: 120 x 170cm in acrylic. The process will begin with meditation and small studies which move through a process of linking up thinking and sensation, working with both mindfulness, the space, and current reflections on indigenous astronomy and quantum mechanics. ..." 

You can see more of Aaron Aryadharma Matheson's work on his website aaronmatheson.com and instagram @aryadharmamatheson