About Airtight
Matt Wilson, Airtight Artwork
Artist Statement
Influenced by natural elements, my art is a reflection of the environment in which I live. Using recycled and organic materials- scrap metal, reclaimed wood, bone, etc., my sculptures depict continuous life cycles that consciously and unconsciously permeate our awareness. The upcycled work I create is a testimony to the belief of conserving and appreciating our resources, so that the environment in which we live will continue to be an environment in which we desire to live. My goal as an artist is to make artwork unlike art people have seen, while at the same time recognizable in the identity of everyday materials. I only hope the sculptures will inspire others to appreciate the simple, neglected items from which my creations are born.
Bio
Matt Wilson was born and raised in Greenville, S.C., and from a young age showed, not only an interest in art, but an innate creative talent. His senior year of high school, he was accepted to attend studio art classes at the Fine Arts Center of Greenville, the first specialized art school in the state. From 2002 to 2005, Matt attended Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, where he worked on an arts degree in drawing and painting. In 2006, Wilson was not only ready for a change in scenery, but also for a change in medium. He moved to Charleston, S.C. and became interested in metal sculpture and motivated to learn a new skill. Following a job lead, he gained an interview with Detyens Shipyards for a welding position. Upon interviewing with Loy Stewart, the owner of Detyens, he was offered a unique opportunity – to become the resident artist and learn how to weld. Matt’s primary job is to build metal models of the ships that are serviced in the shipyard. The models are then given to the port engineers as a “thank you for your business”. When he’s not building ships, he is working on commissioned pieces or having fun producing new creations.
Honors
North Charleston Palmetto Hands Exhibitor – 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011,2010
- Best in Show, SC State Bird, 2014
- Purchase Award, Lolly and Pop, 2012
- Best in Show, Bird of Prey, 2011; Traveling Show, It’s your world, I’m just living in it, 2011
- Purchase Award and Traveling Show, Rebirth, 2010; Traveling Show, Oak Tree, 2010
- Traveling Show, Brew Heron, 2016
Local Artist Exhibitor in Southeastern Wildlife Exposition – 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
Winner of Best Vendor for 2016 Art on the Trail, Traveler’s Rest SC
Winner of Exhibitor’s Choice Award 2017 Piccolo Spoleto Crafts Show
Winner of Best in Sculpture for the 2016 Piccolo Spoleto Juried Art Exhibition
Winner of the West Of chart Box Competition 2014
Featured Artist in Charleston Living magazine Sept./Oct. 2014
Featured Artist in Charleston Magazine December 2014
Featured Artist in Charleston Art Mag Winter 2016-2017
Nominee for Best Local Visual Artist, Charleston City Paper 2014, 2015, 2016
Artistic Process
I weld all of my sculptures with a MIG welder. When I started, I found welds to be really distracting and ugly. So, I intentionally hide all the welds. I want my pieces to seem effortless and clean.