Victor Matthews is an old school, reserved artist growing up in the 70s in Brooklyn. In the age of no cell phones, his career took a turn when he was accepted into art school in Manhattan, a rare occurrence being from an outer borough. I took the opportunity with great candor and grace to interview Mr. Matthews as his artwork speaks for itself.

Holly: I’ve often romanticized and dreamt of living in New York in the 1970s and 1980s. Can you describe some fond memories from your time growing up there?

Victor Matthews: I often think about the times of the 70s & 80s in NYC when I was growing up. I grew up in Crown Heights - a neighborhood in Brooklyn.

The fondest memory I have of that time? I couldn’t wait to draw. I wanted to draw. My mother encouraged my drawing. She gave me my first studio, which was effectively a large closet. I would draw everything in the house - her shoes, fruit, ketchup bottles.

When I went to school, I would wait for art class - that was my favorite class. I went to IS 210 - an art school at PS 138. I had a great art teacher named Mr. Bailey who encouraged me a lot in those years. He encouraged me to apply to the High School of Art and Design on 57th Street in Manhattan. I had never gone to Manhattan in my life.

I remember the first time I visited the High School of Art and Design. I remember taking the subway from Brooklyn and carrying my art portfolio, which felt bigger than me at the time. I remember that I was so excited when I was accepted to that high school because very few students from the outer boroughs were accepted at that time. That moment changed my life. The High School of Art and Design is where I really discovered what I wanted to do in life. I started painting there. It’s where I learned about Manhattan and fell in love with Manhattan.

Holly: What words of wisdom would you give yourself as an artist in your early days?

Victor Matthews: I have always followed my feelings - followed my soul. l got addicted to working - painting and drawing. Growing up, I avoided problem people. I kept to myself. I just loved to draw. I don’t know what advice I would give to my younger self because I knew what I wanted from an early age; I knew what I loved and I did that. Maybe I would say to my younger self: remember that art should not feel like work. It should feel effortless. But I think I knew that already, you know?

Holly: During the pandemic lock downs in 2020, did you find yourself particularly creative?

Victor Matthews: Yes. I created a lot of new work even though it was difficult to source art supplies. I had to be careful with what supplies I had. I had to be resourceful. I eventually found one place where I could buy large rolls of canvas at a good bulk price. After that, I was painting all day. I was basically sleeping and painting. Sometimes, I would watch a movie or a documentary or some news and then go back to painting. I would like to show all of these pieces one day - I will.

Victor Matthews: When I travel, it needs to be a place where I can paint. I don’t just travel for fun - I need to be able to paint. I produce work everywhere I go. A lot of travel comes to me organically through my work. For example, I just returned from Barbados where I was painting a custom mural for the past few weeks. At the moment, I am back in New York and I am happy to be back in New York.

Victor: Yes. I created a lot of new work even though it was difficult to source art supplies. I had to be careful with what supplies I had. I had to be resourceful. I eventually found one place where I could buy large rolls of canvas at a good bulk price. After that, I was painting all day. I was basically sleeping and painting. Sometimes, I would watch a movie or a documentary or some news and then go back to painting. I would like to show all of these pieces one day - I will.

Victor Matthews is represented by 

Space Gallery St Barth

 in the US and Caribbean. For information about his work 

contact info@spacestbarth.com.