Matt West was born on Long Island, New York. His family moved and traveled the country before settling on the piedmont of North Carolina. He received a BFA from The University of North Carolina Asheville and an MFA from Clemson University. For ten years Matt and Joey Manson operated Silver Creek Studio, where they created one of a kind ornamental iron work and fabricated sculptures for other artists. Matt has taught at The South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts, Furman University, and is currently a Lecturer and Studio Technician for The University of North Carolina Asheville.
"My work has always been based around the intersection between the nature and that which is constructed by humankind. Often taking something from my surroundings, and representing it in a reconsidered manner, exploiting the properties of the materials, objects or their actions. My work is devoid of the artist’s hand in order to enhance the materials communication, these materials are to be considered for their relationships and functions rather than my manipulations. My work strives to magnify these interactions and presents them to the viewer, emphasizing the delicate balance between the natural world and our creations."
Green River Tuxedo Dam, 2019, 3 x 4 x 6 inches, Steel, Concrete
Green River Tuxedo Dam Detail, 2019, 3 x 4 x 6 inches, Steel, Concrete
Little Crag, 2015, 12 x 15 x 24 inches, Ceramic-Slip, Pine Tree, Plaster
Outcrop 2, 2016, 16 x 16 x 36, Grandfather's Shovel Head, Section of Earth
