I'm Moving

to here,

http://matthewthompsonart.tumblr.com/

"Social Mobility"

 I have recently been reading a book called " CHAVS: Demonization of the Working Class" (check it out, it's great".

A few ideas were generated from reading this book, one such was the idea of "social mobility". On the bus fromt own I was staring blankly out of the windows and the quickly erected apartment blocks, and thought that these such structures were symbolic of the notion of upwards movement through class.

I used to think about heading to Uni, getting a "decent joB" and a nice flat in the city..

Now, I'm not as fussed.
Here's the basis of the work, and some of it produced;

With this painting I would like to include a witty phrase to finish it off, however as yet I am unsure how to do so. I'm thinking another piece of paper with the wording on, to be displayed next to the painting.


"There's room at the top..."

Whether I agree with the sentiment expressed in the book or the work, is for you to decide.

Matt

The Flaneur

"from the French verb flâner, which means "to stroll". Charles Baudelaire developed a derived meaning of flâneur—that of "a person who walks the city in order to experience it"

Paintings taken from my urban strolls;

As with previous work I've done this year, I looked to encorporate words into the work. The work below is an example of this. The painting shows a figure strolling through the city (The figure is me). Given the personal nature of this work, Oasis seemed the perfect fit. The city in question is Manchester, and i am going with the flow or "rolling with it". Furthermore, I have "Roll with it" tattooed on my person for personal reasoning, so this is arguabley even more apt. A more detailed and colourful example was done after this initial sketch, and I will try my best to upload it when i can.

Work on board

Since starting painting properly at about 17 I've been encouraged to move away from working on paper. Usually I ignored the advice, but with 6years experience and maybe a bit of confidence I've taken the jump into working on board.
 
A few of these are for sale in Galleries at the moment, here's some photos of my first efforts on board. As ever click the pictures to see them larger. Enjoy:

 

Building Work, Man Met

Didsbury Village Twilight

From Sheffield City Hall

View from McDonald's, Fallowfield

Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds (Night)