Revised Matt Hollis Artist Talk

Hollis is an alumnus of this school and did an Art SMP when he was a senior. He talked about how he has explored quiet a bit before using fake flower petals as his main medium. His use of fake flowers started when he made a sculpture that was decorated with fake flowers. The sculpture looked alive as if it would start moving because of the form and the flowers. It looked like a creature from a different world that is powered by photosynthesis.

Hollis use the flower petals as a way to draw design on fabric and canvases, which are usually organic in appearance. The way he talked about his process reminds me of abstract painting or abstract expressionism; however, his works ends up looking purposeful with great palette of colors.

During his conversation, we were eating pizza the professor provided as a incentive to bring people to the talks. I could hear sounds of chewing as I listen closely to Hollis presentation. Hollis's voice (in my opinion) sounded kind and full of life, which makes it easier to listen to everything he said and to ignore the noise pollution the Art Annex produces. Along with his voice, we could hear the sounds of his mouse as he change the slides in his PowerPoint with a single quick click. The people, who came to listen to Hollis's work and artistic life, were silent and still. From the lack of sounds, you can tell they were paying close attention to the things he said.