Matt Smiley Unveils His Exhibition ‘Work in Progress: Emotions’ at 1 Hotel West Hollywood
The artist’s exhibition features a series of paintings that represent the ‘nuanced and contradictory nature of our emotions.’
On November 30, Matt Smiley opened “Work in Progress: Emotions,” his latest exhibition at 1 Hotel West Hollywood. This work showcases Matt’s “smiley symbolism.” For December 1–February 2024, the display will be open to the public.
“In this series of paintings, I am exploring the complexity of human emotions through smiley symbolism,” Matt said. “The smiley face, often associated with happiness, can reveal the many emotions that define human experience. My paintings depict the complex and contradictory nature of emotions.”
Matt uses vibrant colors, expressive brushstrokes, and complex textures in his art. His paintings tell numerous storylines, allowing viewers to reflect on their own feelings and appreciate their complexity.
The inventive filmmaker uses unique characters, brilliant colors, and automatic writing. Matt loves filming documentaries and promoting social problems in addition to his influential canvas art. Highway of Tears, his 2014 documentary, focusing on 16 British Columbia women who disappeared along Highway 16.
Matt’s first solo exhibition, “Dreams Fizzle into Space,” included 32 Warholian “Smiley” Soup Cans in 2017. He exhibited “Lessons in History” in the L.A. Art Show the following year.
Matt’s show revenues will benefit TreePeople, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable forestry and environmental education. The group works with students and researchers to improve the environment by planting and caring for trees in forests, parks, mountains, and neighborhoods. TreePeople donates and plants trees to protect the environment during forest fires and food hardship.
Leave a Reply