Artist Matt Smiley’s New Exhibit Is a ’90s Ode to ‘Love’ and ‘Nostalgia’
Artist Matt Smiley is back with a new exhibition in Los Angeles.
Smiley's latest art show - Love, Nostalgia, and the Tempest of My Mind - draws influences from iconic artists such as Picasso and Salvador Dalí as he explores the themes of love and time in his own life.
"Picasso's approach to love always struck me as beautifully raw. He broke love down into something emotional and primal, and Dalí's fascination with time is something I constantly explore in my work," Smiley said in a statement. "I wanted to reflect that in how memory and love slip away from us, leaving only their impact behind."
The exhibit features iconic emblems from the '90s - including VHS tapes and DVDs - and is described as "a bold, chaotic blend of nostalgia, pop culture, and deeply personal reflections."
Love, Nostalgia and the Tempest of My Mind - which is on display at 1 Hotel West Hollywood through November 5 - has already moved patrons to tears.
"On opening night, seeing someone going through a range of emotions and crying in front of one of my pieces is something I never experienced before," Smiley shared. "It was eye opening for what we can do in the future."
As for the "one thing" the artist would like art fans to take away from the exhibit, "it's that love, memory, and time are constantly evolving," said Smiley. "We're all shaped by the media we consume, movies, music, television and that's what this show is about: how those pieces of culture become part of us, even after they've been left behind."
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This story was originally published October 17, 2024, 1:46 PM.
