Interview
Burgette Matthews
Burgette is an artist, social entrepreneur, academic and poet born in South Africa, based in West Yorkshire. Burgette studied Fine Art: Painting and Drawing at The University of Huddersfield (2006-2009). With an interest in philosophy, theology, the spiritual, the subconscious and psychoanalysis of art. Burgette became interested in working in the field of education and later went on to study a Postgraduate Diploma in Education in the Lifelong Learning Sector (2013-2015) and taught persons who were detained in secure settings. In 2021 Burgette qualified with an academic masters degree (LLM) in Mental Health Law. Burgette is a proud member of British Mensa and secretary/lead member of the (International) Mental Health Special Interest Group. Burgette is also a proud trustee of the Joseph Thomson Maasai Trust, working to support access to education for girls in Kenya. Burgette's artwork is inspired by artists such as Joan Miro and Wassily Kandinsky. Burgette is also an avid collector of art and rare books, with manuscripts and books of importance and pieces of art by world renowned artists, to local talent. Some of Burgette's own original paintings and prints are part of private individual collections and can be purchased through The Arthouse Gallery, Wakefield. Burgette's poetry is inspired by the works of Emily Dickinson, Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath, to name but a few.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born in South Africa and moved to the U.K when I was a young child. Both my parents were born in the U.K. My journey into the art world started from a very young age. My mother would draw and write poetry with me. I was inspired by the works of Beatrix Potter when I was a child. My interest and skills developed further when I was in High School and I studied Fine Art and Design. When I was 15, I created a sculpture called "Lady Veronica". The work was completed under our car-porch in the 6 week holidays and was made from wood, piping, plaster, car parts and electrical cable. When I was a teen (and still to this day) I was interested in feminist discourse through art. The work gained a lot of interest regionally and the High School was awarded Arts College Status. The work was included in an auction by the charity, The Prince's Trust. It was an honour to be included in this auction with the Trust and this was the start of my interest in and more philanthropic, charitable and enterprising pursuits through art and education. I then went on to study Fine Art Painting and Drawing at University where I enjoyed exploring a varied practice.”
What inspires you?
“I am inspired by a variety of stimuli and subjects. This can be music, the weather or landscape for example. I am also inspired by rights issues especially and more recently focusing my work around issues relating to mental health and rights from a personal perspective and responding to current issues.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“As stated above I have a varied practice. The themes I explore reflect my interests in philosophy, theology, the spiritual, the subconscious and psychoanalysis of art itself. The underlying message to my work is that anyone can be an artist whoever you are, art can be made from discovery and art can help foster and encourage societal change in relation to the important issues we face today especially in the U.K.”
How would you describe your work?
“My works are bold, colourful watercolour and ink abstracts with an automatic or experimental approach as an automatic response to a stimuli or of the landscape. Alternatively my photography and film work focuses on the discovery of a phenomena, visual exploration of a theorem or philosophical perspective or a peaceful message of a rights based issue communicated through either the medium of photography, film or painting and drawing.”
Which artists influence you most?
“My artwork is inspired by artists such as Joan Miro and Wassily Kandinsky. I am also interested in the work of Bill Viola.”
What is your creative process like?
“When I am creating my more abstract works the creative process involves an automatic approach. I don't have a plan as to how the artwork is going to look before I start. I will use shapes and colour that I feel drawn to make and use. Often I will play different music and respond to the music. I also enjoy wetting the page and dropping ink onto it and then work into the shapes created. I find it interesting that my audience sees different imagery and take different meaning from the artwork. For example I have been told that people can see dragons and Angels in the work. I also enjoy working in the landscape to make small drawings or paintings and taking photographs which I use as references when I am creating larger paintings with an abstracted approach using vibrant colours. I think it stands out from landscape paintings that take more traditional approaches. In my work relating to mental health and rights based issues a lot of the work cannot be pre-conceived -sometimes it is just serendipity, you see something and there the idea and concept is, the creative process involves what is available at the time to use such as your phone for taking photographs and Photoshop later.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“For me, I think the artist's role in society is to educate and inspire people in relation to a subject. While art can have a critical angle in relation to issues faced by modern society I feel that the artist has an important role to do this in a wat that inspires positive change. I also think art or creative expression is important to a healthy society because art has the potential to influence and help others. It is important that society continues to foster and support art study, art practice and its artists because studies have shown that art and artistic practice can improve mental health. It is clear that creative expression such as art is vital to having a fulfilled and human experience. In essence I think art is critical to the evolution of civilisation and it is important that it is not only beautiful in our homes, galleries or public spaces but that it contributes something to society, be that something simple as inspiring someone to pick up a brush and relax to a piece of music or raising awareness in relation to an issue important to the artist.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have an ongoing exhibition at Northern Fringe Gallery, The Ridings Shopping Centre, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. My past exhibitions include Kunsthuis Gallery: Dutch House, Crayke, North Yorkshire, 2018; Kunsthuis Gallery:A WASH OF ENERGY, 2017, Dutch House, Crayke, North Yorkshire; amongst others.”
Website: www.burgettematthews.co.uk
Other links: www.facebook.com
