Matthew Furmanski
My intent is to combine the physicality of the object with the intensity of an idea to create a catalyst that leads the viewer/participant to a new place, to an edge where there is an opportunity for a leap of perception. The work has the potential to demand a lot from its viewers, and I expect the viewers to demand a lot from it. The act of the leap of perception is what I am after. In my work, I often use recognizable materials closely associated with industry and functionality but place them within an art context and arrange them in ways, which both deny concrete use and maintain their integrity as sculpture. I hope this intended flickering between the world of industry and use value, and the realm of the aesthetic object, will activate a difference in thinking and imaginative leaps in the minds of those who encounter them.
I have spent a fair amount of time developing a visual language with which I explore many types of ideas. These ideas vary from relationships with mundane objects, to ideas of transcending time and space, to social issues, to information and transportation issues. In this media based world, I sometimes like to think of my work as an imploded movie prop, or prop in reverse. A movie prop plays a small roll supporting a larger narrative, my work, in some cases, is an encapsulated allegory, or larger narrative in a contained local.
Sailing and surfing are two of my passions, and very connected to sculpture in my mind. The idea that forces like wind, water, current, weight and tension, have to be balanced with the physics of an object with centers of mass, lateral resistance, gravity and effort, in continuos motion, coupled with perception, anticipation, reaction and chance. I find it an invigorating metaphor, trying to find that moment between balance and collapse.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
1995 Masters of Fine Art, Sculpture
Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA
1993 Bachelor of Fine Art
Chapman University, Orange, CA
*Currently teaching as an Assistant Professor of Art, Sculpture, at California State University, Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA.
SELECTED EXHIBITION RECORD (solo exhibitions marked by asterisk*)
2015 "Lark," a collaboration between Matthew and Monica Furmanski, CSU, Channel Islands
"Fixture," a collaboration between Matthew and Monica Furmanski, McNish Gallery,Oxnard College, CA
2007 *Blink, Upfront Gallery, Ventura, CA
Drawing, Palos Verdes Art Center, CA, Curated by Scott Canty
W.O.P. “with out passport”, Brewery Project, Los Angeles, Curated by Christina Valentine
2006 Blips, Drips and Strips, Upfront Gallery, Ventura, CA, Curated by Christine Morla and Paul Benavidez
New Sculptures, McNish Gallery, Oxnard College, Oxnard, CA
State of the Art 2006 Gallery Exhibition, Public scultpture, corner of State Street and Ortega, Santa Barbara, CA
Juried All Media Exhibition, Beckstrand and Norris Galleries, Palos Verdes Art Center, CA, Jurored by Mike McGee, Director, Cal State University Fullerton Art Gallery. Docents Award recipient.
Tour des Artistes, East Village Arts District, Long Beach. Jurored exhibition
2005 *New Work, North Gallery, California State University, Stanislaus
Artwear Celebrated, Studio Channel Islands, CA
Carpool Project, Studio #3 at 18th Street Arts Complex, Santa Monica, CA
Trail Totem, Idyllwild Art Center, Idyllwild, CA2004 Selections from the Armory Pasadena, Armory Northwest, Pasadena, CA. Curated by Jay Belloli
Centered on the Center, Huntington Beach Art Center, Huntington Beach, CA
2004 Selections from the Armory Pasadena, ArmoryNorthwest, Pasadena, CA. Curated by Jay Belloli
Centered on the Center, Huntington Beach Art Center, Huntington Beach, CA
2003 In the Nursery, The Armory Northwest, Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, CA. Curated by Jay Belloli
Threading Technology, The Brewery, Los Angeles, CA. Curated by Christina Valentine, Biola University
Drawing, Huntington Beach Art Center, Huntington Beach, CA. Curated by the doctors of the Huntington Beach Medical Center
2002 Crossing Eastern Parkway, Rongio Gallery, Brooklyn, NY. Curated by Janice Taylor
*Sculptural Engineering (Catalog,Catalyst,Analog), Huntington Beach Art Center, Huntington Beach, CA. Curated by Darlene D'Angelo
Project Room, Raid Projects, Los Angeles, CA. Curated by Max Presneill
East Go West, China Town, Los Angeles, CA. Curated by Max Presneill
2001 Raid Projects, Santa Ana, CA. Curated by Max Presneill
*Slant Six Analogs, Storage, Santa Monica Airport. Curated by Richard Hertz and Ali Acerol
Really Big Sculpture Show, Palos Verde Art Center, Palos Verde, CA. Curated by Scott Canty
2000 Inland Specific: Installations by the Artists of the San Gabriel Valley, Wignall Museum/Gallery, Chaffey College, CA. Curated by Virginia Eaton
Inland Specific: Installations by the Artists of the San Gabriel Valley, Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, CA. Curated by Linda Centell
Where Will I Be When the Continents Collide? Post, Los Angeles, CA. Curated by Habib Kheriadyar
*Project Room, Chapman University, Orange, CA. Curated by Maggie Owens
1999 Scenery Machinery, Art Center College of Design, Del Mar Studios, Pasadena, CA. Curated by Jonathan and Matthew Furmanski
1998 100 Dollar Show, Post, Los Angeles, CA. Curated by Habib Kheriadyar
3-4-3, The Brewery, Los Angeles, CA. Curated by Dean DeCocker
1997 Milled, Gallery Paradiso, Newport Beach, CA. Curated by Dean DeCocker
1996 They Came From Beyond, Gunther Ranch, Malibu, CA. Curated by Bradley Westwater
100 Artists, Post, Los Angeles, CA. Curated by Habib Kheriadyer
Action Required, Huntington Beach Art Center, CA. Curated by Tyler Stallings
Structuralism,Boritzer/Gray/Hamano, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, CA. Curated by Dean DeCocker
From Start to Finish: Recent Sculpture, Painting and Installation, San Bernardino Community College, CA. Curator: James Stewart
"Act, Activate, Ask, Analyze..." Junior Arts Gallery, Barnsdall Art Park, CA. Curated by Michael Lewis Miller
GRANTS/FELLOWSHIPS/ COMMISSIONS
2005 Idyllwild Art Center, Idyllwild, CA
Faculty Development Grant, CSU, Channel Islands
2004 Smith Grant, CSU,Channel Islands
Faculty Development Grant, CSU, Channel Islands
2000 Durfee "ARC" Grant, Durfee Foundation
VISITING ARTIST
2005 California State University, Stanislaus
Idyllwild Art Center, Idyllwild, CA
Catalina Island Marine Institute, Toyon Bay, Catalina, CA
2002 Huntington Beach Art Center,CA
2000 Inland Specific at the Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, CA and at Chaffey College, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
1999 Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA
REVIEWS/ARTICLES/CATALOGS/WEB REVIEWS AND ARTICLES
http://www.sculpture.org/portfolio/sculptorPage.php?sculptor_id=1001190
http://sbartscommission.org/public.html
http://theocartblog.typepad.com/the_oc_art_blog_contempor/2006/06/index.html
http://www.tourdesartistes.com/juried.html
http://www.legendarysurfers.com/das/blog/2006/06/public-art-returns.html
http://www.lifescapesmagazine.com/article.php?subaction=showfull&id=1156274751&archive=&start_from=&ucat=6&
http://www.upoursleeve.org/
http://www.venturaarts.org/news.cfm?rownum=1030
Artist's Index, Art in America, 2002-2003 Guide, Sourcebook to the Art World
"This Exhibition is Watching You," Orange County Register, Show Section, Daniella Walsh, June 23, 2002
Inland Specific, catalogue of exhibition, Wignall Museum, Chaffey College, September 16- October 14, 2000
"Move Over Picasso, her comes 'Inland Specific,'" The Breeze, Oct. 2, 2000, P. 5
"History in Colors, Collars," Los Angeles Times, Orange County Edition, Tuesday, April 23, 1996. F1, 2.
"Looking for Some Action?" Los Angeles Times, OC Register, The Wave, Thursday, April 18, 1996. Pp.1, 15.
"Action Required", Coast Magazine, April 18, 1996, p.20.
Action Required, catalogue of exhibition, Huntington Beach Art Center, April 13- May 12, 1996. Gallery 3.
Structuralism, Los Angeles Times, reviews, Boritzer/Gray/Hamano, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, CA. April 4, 1996, F8 and F11.
New Structuralists, catalogue of exhibition, Daniel Arviuz Gallery, Santa Ana, CA. February 17- March 16, 1996. Article by Peter Frank.
"Landscape: The Continuum; Act, Activate, Analyze, Ask; Dal Campo
"D'Osservazione to the Brewery", January 26- February 1", LA Weekly, Calendar, Art Picks of the Week, 1996, pp.110.