Photographer Matthew Schiavello

'Defocused #147, 190418.' The defocused (ongoing) series of works, started out with an aim to shift the viewers attention away from defined form and what the form means to us, and instead to focus on colour. More precisely to bring our attention to the Hue/s, Saturation and value/s in the image. Over time, the aim seems to have organically shifted to include form, albeit defocused. This particular image is very different again, in that it intentionally includes elements of strong focus as a tool to keep the eye engaged and moving around the image.

My name is Matthew Schiavello. I am a queer photographer (specialising in abstract and conceptual work), and a mixed media artist. My abstract work, aims to bring the viewer’s attention to the beauty which exists all around them, especially in torn, decayed or damaged transient urban spaces, or in damaged/'unusable' traditional photographic mediums (such as 35mm film). 

'What it feels like (when you are there) #3145.' This was shot with my DSLR. I stumbled across some torn and decaying posters on the edge of a construction site. I loved the patterns and the image that was created in the decay. It excites me that people see very different things in the same image, or have very different emotional responses. I often try to have neutral titles, so as not to influence the viewers experience with a piece, but felt the need to title this one. This particular piece seemed to encapsulate the feeling I sometimes get when someone I love is 'there'. I also like the vagueness of 'there', does it mean present or far away? And who is the 'you'? Is the feeling a positive or a negative one? These answered questions further engage the viewer.

My conceptual work is usually an exploration of self in society. Often the focus is on our prejudices, with a hope that by becoming aware of what they are and how we developed them, we can explore their relevance and if they are actually helpful to us. Like most artists, I also sometimes want to create work for purely aesthetic reasons. Who doesn’t like beautiful work on their walls or screens? 

'Boiled #36, November 2018.' This is 35mm film, which I effected by boiling and freezing. This intentional damage to the film was done to add a random and uncontrollable element, which I find exciting. I shot the image locally and sometimes (as with this image) I like to focus on found colour, or form.

More info:

Website: https://www.matthewschiavello.com

Ello: https://ello.co/matthewschiavello

Tumblr: https://matthewschiavello.tumblr.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthew_schiavello

Body Prejudice Project: https://www.braveorbeautiful.com