Matthew: I wanted to start something meaningful and do something I was passionate about. I have always been inspired by creative people and artists.
Where did your passion for art come from?
Matthew: I saw a Picasso exhibition when I was about 11 years old. I was blown away by what I saw and I had the art bug from that moment on.
Why Hoxton?
Matthew: It felt like home. East London remains at the forefront of contemporary art practice and I love how down-to-earth the locals are. There is a creative energy in the air with a youthful sense of anything is possible.
Why did you choose to work with emerging art and artists?
Matthew: For a long time I have had an interest in fostering artists and helping them develop their careers. Also I like the idea that as we are a young team we will all grow old together.
Where do you see the gallery in 10 years?
Matthew: We plan to influence on an international scale, which will include exhibitions and projects abroad.
What is your philosophy as a gallery?
Matthew: To foster young artists and present art works and exhibitions that have a real impact. We also believe art should be a democratic platform reaching people on all levels. We enjoy meeting and working with experienced art collectors and people that have never been to an art gallery before.
How do you find artists?
Matthew: It is a collaborative effort between the whole Hoxton Art team. We always have our eyes and ears open. We have each been following certain artists for a while, attend as many exhibitions as possible and observe various art awards; The Catlin guide, Bloomberg New Contemporaries and Saatchi Sensations to name a few.
What is your exhibition programme like for the rest of the year?
Matthew: Diverse. Our next show includes a diamond that was made from the ashes of an Armadillo that was found run over in Texas…we always keep things interesting in our programme! Also in October (around Frieze week) we are having a show titled ‘Grammar of the Ornament’ which is going to showcase the importance of ornamentation in contemporary art practice.
What kind of work does Hoxton Art Gallery showcase?
Matthew: Contemporary art made by some of the best emerging artists in the UK and abroad. The art will always be a broad range of media and our shows and projects always aim at having a good balance between the aesthetic, the conceptual and political.
Who is your favourite artist?
Matthew: All the artists we work with!
What makes Hoxton Art Gallery different?
Matthew: Our artists, exhibitions and projects really express our point of difference.
Watch and find out!
For more information and upcoming shows on at Hoxton Art Gallery, please check out their website http://www.hoxtonartgallery.co.uk/
Photograph by Lydia Cowpertwait of Hoxton Art Gallery
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