Name: Matthew Hale
Statement: I have spent nearly half my life in the art world in one capacity or another - mostly as a picture framer. As such, I've seen a great deal of art in many forms and if I have learned anything, I've learned this: There is no such thing as good art. There is also no such thing as bad art. Art in any form is (or should be) an intensely personal experience both for the artist and for the recipient. If it resonates with you, then it is good art. If it does not, then it is useless to you and you should move on. It may resonate on an emotional level, or on a purely intellectual level but if there is no connection to the art, then it has no purpose. The creation of each painting shown here was an emotional experience for me. I tend to think that those associated with a more intense experience are better than those associated with less intensely felt emotions. But ultimately that is not for me to judge. Once the essence of the art has moved from me through the brush and onto the canvas, it is only as good as the response it creates in the viewer. Again, if there is a resonance or connection then it is a good or successful piece. If not, move on. I take a lot of my inspiration from mid-century abstract painters and abstract expressionism in general. I'm fascinated by those artists who were working just after WWII and who changed the face of art forever by showing the world that it was ok to make a mark on the canvas that didn't really represent anything. It was mark making for it's own sake. I'm also fascinated by the interaction of the materials I use with each other. Simply watching the way the colors mingle on the canvas and the way the surface changes with every stroke of the brush or pallet knife is endlessly enjoyable for me. The completion of a painting can be a bittersweet experience for me because the fluid process of applying paint to canvas is often more important than the completed piece.
The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority today owns the largest contemporary collection of local art in central Ohio. All of the pieces are on display in the Greater Columbus Convention Center, the Hilton Columbus Downtown and the three Convention Center parking garages. The collection is the result of a communitywide call for art, overseen by a committee of community members and implemented by collection curators James and Michael Reese of Reese Brothers Productions. The artists represent the diversity of the Columbus community, cutting across age, gender and race.
Made: 2016
Installed: 2016
Exhibition Hall - Skybox
400 N. High St.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Franklin County
Venue Website
Acrylic on canvas
Please note: The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) does not own or manage any public art. For the purposes of this database many pieces were entered by the Arts Council while we continue to search for the appropriate owner/manager of the work and other information to complete the entry. The Arts Council has tried to gather all available information about the works in this database, however, we acknowledge there may be missing or inaccurate information. If you can help us correct any inaccuracies, or provide more complete information, we would be grateful. Please use “Something missing? Please send us a note” above.
Taking images of public art works and sharing your experiences is one of the most fun reasons to engage with public art. As a community, we care deeply about the artists who have contributed the artworks we enjoy every day. Please be sure to credit artists when you share your photos. If you have an interest in using public artwork present in this database for commercial purposes, please contact Jami Goldstein at the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Taking your own images of public artwork does not release you from the responsibility of artist credit and/or compensation.
This site is produced and managed by the Greater Columbus Arts Council and supported by the Ohio Arts Council and public art collections across the state. Contributors to the databases to date include collections held by the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, City of Columbus, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Dublin Arts Council, City of Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Department, City of Kettering, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Licking County Foundation, Ohio Arts Council’s Percent for Art program, Short North Arts District and the City of Sandusky. The database was funded in part by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council. Research and development support is provided by Designing Local, OSA Technology Partners and Columbus artist Stephanie Rond. The Columbus Makes Art campaign is a citywide, collaborative marketing effort designed to highlight the incredible talent of central Ohio artists. The Greater Columbus Arts Council is supported by the City of Columbus and the Ohio Arts Council.
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