Artist Statement
Matthew is a painter and musician with a DIY outsider spirit. He paints a world of outcasts in vivid, distant lands: surreal scenes tinged with melancholy. They capture the joys and sorrows of solitude from freedom and wonder to dejection, confusion and isolation. Each one is an episode in the saga, like snapshots from desolate cartoons.
They are so crisp and graphic that they seem digital but they are full of craftsmanship and raw emotion. The honest and direct style evokes deeper feelings and the characters tell stories. We escape and face the absurd existence along with these lone souls in the vast realms of mystery.
Matthew also makes music under the name Matthew Freakbones. He writes, sings and plays every instrument minus the drums on his lo-fi, druggy rock records.
B. 1996, Miami Florida
Shows and Projects:
Cover artwork for “The Understanding” an album by International Mack, 2024.
“Lone Travelers And Distant Lands” solo show at IFAC, New York City, 2024.
"Inside The Whimsical Solitary Worlds of Matthew Hanzman" interview in Overstandard, 2023.
Artwork for “I Am Not So Tall” by Camp Blu, 2023.
“The New Pollution” solo show at All St. Gallery, Lower East Side NYC, 2023.
“In The Heat Of The Night” group show at Andrew Reed Gallery, Tribeca NYC, 2023.
“Edge Of The World” solo show at All St. Gallery, East Village NYC, 2023.
“Step Into The Realms” solo show at Brian Leo Projects, Chelsea NYC, 2023.
“Rays of Light” group show at Van Der Plas Gallery, New York City, 2022.
“At a crossroads” group show at Van Der Plas Gallery, New York City, 2022.
“Calamity Magazine” book cover with Aaron Longsleeves, 2021.
“TwoTone FM” album cover with Two Tone Sevy, 2021.
Studio Assistant for Chris Hood, Los Angeles CA, 2019.
“Spectrum Art Fair” during Art Basel, Miami FL, 2018.
“70 Paintings” solo show at Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Miami FL, 2018.
“Student Juried Art Exhibition” group show at University of Miami, Miami FL, 2018.
"Untitled 1” solo show at WDNA Radio Station, Miami FL, 2017.