Shed Self (2023)
Exhibition at the Duluth Art Institute's Steffl Gallery, Dulluth, Minnesota.
Show Description by Duluth Art Institute's Curator Amy Varsek
Ceramic artist Matthew O’Reilly embraces satire to generate conversation about the human condition, including the notion of inner growth and change. O’Reilly consistently reinvents himself – and his work – in response to his surroundings, his circumstances, his community, his life. Several figurative pieces, mounted on plywood and backlit in primary colors, flaunt deer antlers. O’Reilly describes this series of work, “Antlers represent an annual shedding of oneself, an opportunity to grow anew.” Additionally, in Shed Self, he muses on the complexity of a person and explains, “there can be two or three selves inside competing for a range of consciousness.” Throughout Steffl Gallery, O’Reilly adorns large caricatures with smaller figures that adopt playful, menacing, and peculiar poses, seemingly identifying alter egos. O’Reilly recognizes that his work is autobiographical; however, he reveals that the meaning isn’t immediately apparent, and he is still ruminating on the layers Shed Self presents.
Ceramic artist Matthew O’Reilly embraces satire to generate conversation about the human condition, including the notion of inner growth and change. O’Reilly consistently reinvents himself – and his work – in response to his surroundings, his circumstances, his community, his life. Several figurative pieces, mounted on plywood and backlit in primary colors, flaunt deer antlers. O’Reilly describes this series of work, “Antlers represent an annual shedding of oneself, an opportunity to grow anew.” Additionally, in Shed Self, he muses on the complexity of a person and explains, “there can be two or three selves inside competing for a range of consciousness.” Throughout Steffl Gallery, O’Reilly adorns large caricatures with smaller figures that adopt playful, menacing, and peculiar poses, seemingly identifying alter egos. O’Reilly recognizes that his work is autobiographical; however, he reveals that the meaning isn’t immediately apparent, and he is still ruminating on the layers Shed Self presents.
Photos by Rio Chantel Photography www.riochantel.xyz