The Chair

A chair in painting frequently transcends its utilitarian purpose to act as a profound symbol of presence, absence, and human personality. Often depicted empty, as in Vincent van Gogh’s iconic 1888 painting Van Gogh's Chair, a vacant seat can serve as a poignant "self-portrait" or a memorial to a missing individual, suggesting both human habits and the mystery of their departure. Chairs are used to denote status, power, or comfort, with their style—from humble wooden structures to ornate armchairs—offering insight into the character of the occupant or the environment. Whether acting as a central element for contemplation in a quiet room or appearing surreal and out of place, the chair acts as a powerful surrogate for the human form in art.

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Matthew Kane was born in Australia and spent much of his childhood living in the United Kingdom, Greece, Italy, and France. He studied Fine Art at The National Art School in Sydney; Film & Television Production; and later Psychology at the University of New England. He worked in the film industry and developed software, while continuing to create paintings and photography.

Working primarily in acrylic, Kane’s practice is intuitive in nature. Experimenting and revising as he goes Kane’s work often evolves in unforeseen and unplanned directions; what a painting may have initially appeared to be becomes completely transformed.

Many works reference recognisable portraits of historical figures. Through Kane’s process of unravelling and reconfiguration, the initial reference images can become obscured.  The works oscillate between familiarity and ambiguity as the figures are either revealed or concealed through gestural marks. 

Matthew lives with his wife on a rural property in the Pillar Valley (northern NSW) along with two sheep, a small dog, several chickens, and many kangaroos.