BIO
I was born and raised in Arizona where I received a BFA from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with an emphasis in painting and drawing. I received my MFA degree in painting and drawing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I am currently a faculty member and the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University. I have taught and guest lectured at various institutions including The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, The University of Chicago, Graham School of General Studies, the Evanston Art Center, Moraine Valley Community College, Prairie State, South Suburban College, Columbia College, OxBow (artist residency for SAIC), and The Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. I have exhibited my work in Chicago and the Midwest region and nationally in various art expos; ArtLA, Affordable Art Fair New York, and San Francisco International Art Exposition. My newest body of paintings explores portraiture as a genre examining self and cultural identity with larger-than-life depictions of my self, spouse, children, friends, and random people I connect with around the world and from social media. The images are direct and frontal using the body (nude) and attire as a prop to link identity with current streams of realism, history, and fictional and pop culture. I am looking for collaborative opportunities to swap sketches with the people who are willing to contribute their faces and/or bodies to my various projects in an exchange. Email me if you would like to participate @ matthewivancherry@yahoo.com
