Pedro Matos " Heritage "

Ivory & Black Soho proudly presents “Heritage”, a new exhibition by Pedro Matos, which embodies the artist’s much anticipated first solo exhibition in London. “Heritage” features a new series of oil paintings on canvas and one site-specific installation. Pedro Matos’ paintings feature a rich and complex layering consisting of different languages of painting, which combine texture, patterns, realistic figurative painting and text. Through this visual language, his work draws the viewer into a dialog surrounding the impermanence of social and cultural values. In the artist’s own words ” Through this exhibition I am trying to question my personal and cultural heritage, and how these values and conditions evolve and change over time in our society..”. Inspired by the french philosopher Michel Foucault’s work, subject to his paintings and explorations are the themes/concepts of Knowledge, Power, History, Sexuality, Discourse, Episteme and Impermanence. The exhibition will also comprise the release of a limited edition artist’s book of Pedro Matos’ work and life.

Pedro Matos is an Artist and Curator born in Santarém, Portugal in 1989. Influenced by the sub-cultures of Graffiti and Skateboarding he was immersed in, Pedro started painting at the age of 16 in Lisbon where he attended studies at both the Faculty of Fine Art – University of Lisbon, Ar.Co Art Centre , and later decided not to complete his academic education. After completing a painting course at Central Saint Martins, Pedro went on to pursue his career in London, where he currently lives and works. His work has been exhibited at numerous galleries and museums across the world, such as the University of Arizona’s Museum of Modern Art, Philips de Pury in London, White Walls gallery in San Francisco and Thinkspace Gallery in Los Angeles. Pedro Matos also works as a curator and was responsible for shows in Lisbon, London, Atlanta and Miami, having also recently co-founded Ivory&Black Soho in London.

Video directed by João Retorta
cargocollective.com/joaoretorta

Ivory & Black Soho is a new gallery dedicated to New Contemporary Art, located on 94 Berwick Street in the heart of London’s Soho. Founded in 2011 by Pedro Matos and Rui Da Paz Louro – Ivory & Black shows the most exciting artists working today, such as Andrew Schoultz, Cleon Peterson, Cheryl Dunn, Deanna Templeton, Ed Templeton, Geoff McFetridge, James Jean, Pedro Matos, Richard Colman, Ryan Travis Christian, Skullphone and Wes Lang.

April 27 – June 9, 2012
Opening Reception with the artist: Friday, April 27, 6 – 9 pm
Gallery Hours: Monday – Saturday 12 – 8 pm

Ivory & Black Soho
94 Berwick Street, W1F0QB London, UK
+44 (0) 7554002182
ivoryandblack.com

Remember not to miss the Opening Reception with the artist tomorrow from 6 – 9 pm