Alex Matthews is a young Indigenous figurative sculptor whose primary medium is ceramic clay. Rooted in the traditions of figurative sculpture yet deeply influenced by the avant-garde and the darkly intricate world of H.R. Giger, Alex’s work explores the porous boundaries between the human body, machine and myth. Drawing on the surreal and the unusual, Alex Matthews constructs figures that exist in a state of flux, hybrid beings that merge the biological with the mechanical, the beautiful with the bizarre. His sculptures often feature fragmented forms, and visceral surface textures that evoke both vulnerability and curiosity, while redefining traditional Native American sculpture.
– Alex Matthews
“In my time staying at buffalo creek, it gave me the opportunity to reconnect with myself, and see the true connection I have with my work and with nature as a whole. The focused warm days and the cool long nights were truly transformative. In the late hours of the night listening to the creek flow, the trees whisper to the deer among the silhouettes of monumental steel sculptures, I strengthened my love for the simplicities of working with clay. In such a short time I made such wonderful connections with my studio mates, Ben and Astra gave me new perspectives of how sculpture moves them, how abstract steel connects their lives in so many ways and I was moved to so much inspiration. The ceramic sculptures I produced are the best work I’ve created in quite some time because my heart was in the right place working in the studio. I learned, I changed, and I truly am a better artist now thanks to taking the time to slow down and appreciate how beautiful our world is. I am very grateful to Steve and the team at Buffalo Creek for sharing their stories with us and providing such an amazing opportunity for the sculpture community.”