2020 "Various Dynasties" CFEVA, Philadelphia PA
Matthew Courtney’s sculpture humorously mixes his love of sports and popular culture with a deep knowledge of the history of art and ceramics. He applies his training as an industrial designer to a playfully transgressive approach to the medium of clay. His current sculpture is heavily influenced by his three artist residencies in Lanzhou China, where he was invited to explore the material and visual culture of Gansu province.
Matthew Courtney was born in Washington D.C. and raised in Springfield, PA. After graduating from Philadelphia College of Art, he received his MFA from Kent State University, where he studied with Kurt Mangus. He began his teaching career at The Cleveland Institute of Art, and since returning to Philadelphia in 1995 has continually served as an adjunct instructor at many of city’s most prestigious art programs, including Tyler School of Art, University of Pennsylvania, and The University of the Arts. During this time, Courtney has been showing his work in Philadelphia and at various national and international juried and invitational exhibitions. Courtney has been artist in residence at Lanzhou City University in 2015, 2017 and 2018. Most recently, he has exhibited his work at the James Earl Carter Gallery, Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus GA, Cherry Street Pier Philadelphia PA and the Mount Airy Contemporary: Intuitive Art Space in Manayunk PA. He currently lives in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia with his wife, the artist and educator, Jackie White.
This work was completed during the artist’s Visual Artist Fellowship, a two-year incubation program that is key in CFEVA's commitment to fostering artistic excellence and furthering its mission to help visual artists build sustainable careers. Artists are selected for this program annually by an independent Board of Artistic Advisors based on the merit of their artwork, demonstrated ability to reach stated goals, and a clear vision for the next level in their professional practice. Learn more about this fellowship and other CFEVA programs here. Studio Photographs by John Carlano
