Matt Sigmon

“Some artists get frustrated with Atlanta, lose interest and move on. Therefore, the main problem seems to be sustainability.” —Matt Sigmon

Matt Sigmon recently graduated from Georgia State University with an MFA in sculpture/studio art. He has exhibited work in eight states as well as five countries throughout Europe and Central America. He has also successfully mastered the art of being a charming smart ass – in art, and in life. 

Dashboard/Courtney Hammond: Your work spans across all digs. You have some pieces that are castings but waver on the line of performance – some that are assemblage but are also installation. When someone asks you what materials you work in – what do you say?  I never know how to answer this.

Matt Sigmon: I usually say, “I use the material that makes sense in relation to my concept.” However, most of my material or technical knowledge is in patternmaking, mold making and foundry work.  I also use wood, plaster and, most recently, plastics, within my work.

Dash: As far as the arts go in Atlanta, do you think our city is becoming more aware and supportive of contemporary art?

MS: I think Atlanta will become more aware of contemporary art if we, as artists, make it more aware. I’ve witnessed a current development, which seems to indicate that Atlanta is warming up, more and more, to the idea of showing artwork in non-traditional, non-art gallery venues. Vacant lots, buildings, and personal homes are providing an alternative to the market-driven, commercial art galleries. In this way, art is allowed accessibility beyond the galleries, thereby, suggesting the possibility of contemporary artwork reaching a broader range of people within Atlanta. However, similar art movements for visibility and awareness happened in Atlanta thirty years ago and then disappeared for a while.  Levels of activity and visibility seem to come and go with each new group of artists.  Some artists get frustrated with Atlanta, lose interest and move on. Therefore, the main problem seems to be sustainability. The art of a city, community or town is only as vibrant and visible as its participants make it.

Dash: What would you say to people that think you are making fun of contemporary art? Wait, are you making fun of contemporary art?

MS: Sure, I make fun of contemporary art. Artists like to take themselves too seriously. Because what we do is silly and impractical, artists may feel forced to come up with their own “unique” artistic concept or reality to justify their artwork. Some artists have an agenda, politic,or activist mentality to justify making art. Other artists don’t want to recognize that they are artists. They might skim the surface of a topic or field, wear the imaginary hat of another profession such as biologist, psychologist, meta-physicist, etc, and falsely carry those themes through their artwork. These are just examples of artistic justification.

Then, there is the question: “What do you want the viewer to get from your artwork?” I hear many artists cop out with the usual answer: “The viewer can take whatever they want from my artwork.”  If the viewer can take whatever he wants, then what’s the point? Furthermore, if the viewer doesn’t grasp any of your imposed ideas from your visual art, does that mean that you’ve failed as an artist? I like to ponder these questions and revel in the silliness of it all. I like to poke fun at contemporary art. 

But if you really think about it, contemporary art makes fun of us all.

Matt is also in cahoots with Antonio Darden, a professor at Scad University and you can visit them at the-art-officials.blogspot.com