Parent of Rachel Matson, 2012
David Matson is an NYA parent who is an Episcopal priest as well as an artist. In his spare time, he likes to find unusual objects from a variety of places–junk stores, fleamarkets, the ground—and turn these objects into art.
His process is interesting. Instead of coming at his objects with a preconceived notion of what the pieces will become, he lets them “live” next to each other in his studio. Eventually, by noting the way the objects exist with each other, it becomes apparent what to do with them. Primarily, Mr. Matson works with boxes—often 8-12 boxes at a time. As he starts piecing objects together, he tries to envision a scene within each box, and then he sets about creating the scene. Sometimes his boxes do something mechanically (for example, his pinball machine) while others make sounds.
He definitely doesn’t aim for a particular theme as he sets about creating his boxes, such as “This box will represent the horrors of war.” Instead, he sets about creating his art with the element of play and, eventually, themes emerge. Mr. Matson has studied religion and is an Episcopal priest, so religion does seep into and tinge whatever he does. Once again, though, the process defines itself. In the case of the “Sundial Prayer Chime,” for example, he wanted to make a chiming clock, the image of Jesus and the twelve disciples suggested a sundial. It looked good on that particular box, and with that, it was all but done. Solving the mechanical problems was then half the fun.
Mr. Matson participates in Brunswick’s Artwalk and welcomes visitors who would like to see his boxes.
Click here to see images of David’s work: Cosmic Pinball Machine, Mudra-Weenie, Prayer Hours Sundial Chimes