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Matthew Shilcock
Matthew Shilcock, Untitled, 2008 Pencil on Paper
21 x 29.7cm
When it comes to his art, 22 year old South Australian artist Matt Shilcock speaks directly.
“In year twelve I was struggling to decide what to create as my grading project. My teacher asked me; if I could create my perfect art piece what would it be? I told him it would be a picture so revolting that any one that looked at it would vomit. I think that sums up my attitude.”
Shilcock's directness is a challenge for his audience to either relate to his drawings, or be offended by them. His drawings are unsettling, almost nightmarish, and present the darker side of human emotion that is often ignored and hard to express. Shilcock believes that art is the best way for him to communicate his darkest emotions without having to explain them to people; that it is better for people to feel rather than hear what he is communicating. Shilcock says, “I’m a nice guy in person, but there are two sides to all things. Putting pencil to paper is a good way to vent my darker side, the things in my head that I don't show”.
Primarily self-taught, Shilcock has been drawing for as long as he can remember. During high-school, he found the structured learning of the classroom did not suit his practice, which is to not plan what he draws; what he draws is what he feels. Shilcock draws mostly in his bedroom at home, where he uses drawing to vent his feelings. He says that after spending time drawing, things always seem better than before.
Since Shilcock was included in AART.BOXX 08, he has received a lot of positive feedback on his work, which has encouraged him to develop the range of emotions that he presents through his work.
By Hugh Nichols
AART.BOXX committee member 2009
Matthew Shilcock, Untitled, 2008 Pencil on Paper 21 x 29.7cm