Bio:
Matthew Willie Garcia is a printmaker whose work moves far beyond the traditional print media, which includes screen printing, mokuhanga, projection-mapping, animation, and large-scale installation. Driven by a passion for both science and science fiction, Garcia explores his queer identity and the mysteries that lie within the vast universe. Garcia employs his knowledge of printmaking to explore these themes through color abstraction, the graphic image, and nonrepresentational forms.
Originally from California, Garcia currently resides and works in Kansas City, MO, and Lawrence, KS. He earned his B.F.A. in Printmaking from the Kansas City Art Institute, followed by an M.F.A. from the University of Kansas. Garcia's artwork has garnered regional acclaim, with notable exhibitions including his participation in "Queer Abstraction" group exhibition at the Nerman Contemporary Museum of Art, the "Star Children" exhibition at the Bradbury Art Museum, and a featured at the Des Moines Arts Center as part of the "Immersive" exhibition.
Garcia's artistic endeavors have also reached an international audience, with his work being featured in the "Sumi-Fusion" Mokuhanga exhibition in Nara, Japan, and the 2022 On Paper exhibition in Barcelona, Spain. Currently serving as adjunct professor at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS, Garcia continues to inspire and push the boundaries of his craft.
Artist Statement:
I utilize quantum mechanics, cosmology, and astrophysics as a source to explore queer identity and the complexity of human existence, allowing me to speculate on humanity's place within the vast expanse of the universe. To convey these grand ideas, I employ bold, vibrant, and colorful graphic prints, paintings, and installations. My creative vision is influenced by the aesthetics found in Marvel comics, manga, Traditional Japanese prints, and Western animation. These ideas and influences are translated through traditional printmaking techniques, particularly screen printing and water-based woodblock, and combined with animation and installation to construct immersive realities that challenge the viewer’s perception of art and science.
The core of my artistic practice is to transform our perception of existence and recontextualize our notions of space and time. My work encourages introspection and asks the viewer to consider the mysteries of the universe that might not have straightforward answers simultaneously, redefining and reorienting our understanding of space, exploration, and one's place in the vastness of the universe. Ultimately by combining the realms of science and art, my work strives to challenge our understanding of the universe, foster curiosity, and create moments for contemplation and wonder.