Matthew Penkala

I construct these paintings visually and technically to initiate a place of interactivity and experience with the work in order to examine the dynamic potential of a static object. The paintings themselves are conceived by involving elements of cultural and geographic surroundings, as well as elements of digital representations culled from vast online sources to my own camera. I then conflate these elements by interposing them within a computer environment. The resulting visual construct and condition is then re-introduced and manifested by way of various painting languages and techniques as its own object/condition, or painting. A painting that introduces another set of fluctuating conditions, that presents itself as a dynamic object based in the qualitative realm of real-time perception. The use of dispersed particles of paint, visa vie an airbrush and spray gun, serve as an analogy to pixels and bits of information that constitute representations of contemporary reality. As a result, I intend to tie a reality constructed and modeled from representations and the virtual world of pictorial illusion with the physical interactive space created by the painting’s materials and hypnotic conditions. This positioning within the painting vernacular is to constitute and challenge the intimate relation between vision and intellect, abstraction and representation, the authentic and artifice, as well as experience and the thing experienced, be it real or representation.

By layering and dividing the visual construct of the painting, I intend to disperse the viewer’s attention and lead them to negotiate their surroundings. It also becomes reflexive with how boundaries are blurred between conditions we navigate through daily. The pictorial space within the paintings themselves is fragmented, and exploits conditions of optics, computer generated imagery, photography, cinema, and various design models and media. Though mixed, the paintings maintain an illusive, though not fixed, visual/meaning structure. By doing this, and by constantly making that which we wish or anticipate being certain, uncertain- visually or conceptually, a state of flux is created. The state of flux that is initiated is to keep thought active by a manner of unfixing or unsettling visual and conceptual models rather than fixing or concretizing them. So, not only do the actual paintings themselves sit within a state of visual alteration due to the viewer’s relation to it, the work also remains in flux within its conceptual condition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The abstract imagery of Matthew Penkala’s paintings strongly reflects his training and practice in photography.  The diffusion of intense, hot color is punctuated by crisp elements that fragment the surface and create movement and tension across the picture plane.  There is a luminous effect, inspired by the California light and landscape akin David Hockney’s early paintings. 

David Pagel of the Los Angeles Times described the work:  “Unlike so much of what makes up today’s visual landscape, Penkala’s paintings are slow burns. Combining the instantaneous appeal of eye-grabbing attractions with the lasting satisfactions of time-tested abstractions, his works treat viewers to luxuries rarely found in contemporary art: reverie and introspection.”

Penkala lives and works in Los Angeles. After receiving his BFA in Photography from Arizona State University, and his MFA in Painting from Cranbrook Academy of Art, he moved to Los Angeles, where he is currently a faculty member at Otis College of Art and Design, as well as the Academic Projects Manager within the Provost’s Office. He has also served as the Visiting Artist in Residence within the Painting Department at Cranbrook Academy of Art.  His work is included in numerous private and public collections, including the Neiman Marcus Collection, Houston, Texas; Maxine and Stuart Frankel Collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; and Daimler-Chrysler Permanent Collection, Southfield, Michigan, among others.

 

EDUCATION
Masters of Fine Art in Painting, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, Arizona State University, Summa Cum Laude, Tempe, AZ

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2014-PRESENT Lead Faculty, Paris Course Elective, OTIS College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA
2013-PRESENT Part Time Faculty, OTIS College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA
2010 Visiting Artist, OTIS College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA
2007 Visiting Artist/ Graduate Student Reviewer, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI
2006 Visiting Artist in Residence – Painting Department, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI 
2004-05 Adjunct Professor of Digital Imaging and Design, Gilbert/Chandler Community College, Gilbert, AZ
2001-02 Head Teaching Assistant to Beverly Fishman, Cranbrook Academy of Art Painting Department
1999 Adjunct Instructor of Digital Imagery, Mesa Community College, Mesa, AZ

EXHIBITIONS
2015
Group Show, David Richard Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Dallas Art Fair, David Richard Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
2014
Eleventh Anniversary Group Show, Western Project, Los Angeles, CA
Art Silicon Valley/ San Francisco, David Richard Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Art Wynwood, David Richard Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Holiday Group Show, David Richard Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
The Day You Crossed A Nova, Western Project, Los Angeles, CA (solo)
2013
There’s No Shame In It, David Richard Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico (solo) 
2012
The Pasadena Art Alliance 16th Biennial Art Auction, Los Angeles, California
ARTrageous Art Auction, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, California
2011
Tower, Lobby, Floor, David Richard Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico (solo)
Houston Art Fair with David Richard Contemporary
San Francisco Fine Art Fair with David Richard Contemporary
Entering Abstraction, Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Los Angeles, California
2010
Op, Pop, and Geo Again, David Richard Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico
OVERPAPER, Bruno David Gallery, St. Louis, Missouri
Art House, Jacquie Israel Group Show, Pacific Palisades, CA
You’re Not The Only Thing I See Sometimes, Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Los Angeles, California (solo)
The Pasadena Art Alliance 15th Biennial Art Auction, Los Angeles, California
2009
SIZEable, Fluxco Gallery, Los Angeles, California
White, Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, California
2008
Summer Mix - Group Exhibition, Lemberg Gallery, Lemberg Gallery, Ferndale, Michigan
2007
Fresh, Lemberg Gallery, Lemberg Gallery, Ferndale, Michigan
WOP (works on/of paper), The Brewery Project, Los Angeles, California
2006
Chromaluxe, California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Fragments, Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, California (solo show)
Matthew Penkala & Trygve Faste: The Cranbrook Paintings, Lemberg Gallery, Ferndale, Michigan
Summer Group Exhibition, Lemberg Gallery, Ferndale, Michigan
Winter Group Exhibition, Lemberg Gallery, Ferndale, Michigan
2005
Collaboration, Lemberg Gallery, Ferndale, Michigan
Group Summer Show, Lemberg Gallery, Ferndale, Michigan
Winter Group Exhibition, Lemberg Gallery, Ferndale, Michigan
2004
10th Annual Holiday Group Show, Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, California
20TH Anniversary Exhibition, Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, California
Group Summer Show, Lemberg Gallery, Ferndale, Michigan
Chroma: Gaston Bertin, Judy Ledgerwood, Matthew Penkala, Lemberg Gallery, Ferndale, MI
Hybrids, Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, California (solo)
2003
Bones of Clouds: Some Recent Experiences of Chance, College of Creative Studies, Detroit, MI
2002
Works for Young Collectors, Lemberg Gallery, Ferndale Michigan
Group Summer Show, Lemberg Gallery, Ferndale, Michigan
Cranbrook Graduate Curated Summer Exhibition Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Graduate Thesis Exhibition, Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, MI
‘Untitled’ ( 8 abstract paintings), Forum Gallery, Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, MI
2001
‘Cranbrook Connection’, D’Arcy Advertising Agency Headquarters, Troy, MI
Cranbrook Milles House, Temporary Collection, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI
2000
‘ Art and the Environment: Sites Around the City’ Modified Art Space, Phoenix, AZ
1999
‘ Pop, Pulp, and Post Abstract’ Arizona State University Memorial Union Gallery, Tempe, AZ

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2002
Studio Assistant, Beverly Fishman, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Photo Assistant, Julia Fish, Chicago, IL
Preparator Assistant, Jess Kreglow, Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Media Lab Technician, Central Media Lab, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Web Designer, Painting Department Website, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI
2001
Studio Assistant, Judy Ledgerwood, Oak Park, IL (summer)
1999
Studio Assistant, Henry Leo Schoebel, Phoenix, AZ
1997
Gallery Assistant, The Northlight Gallery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

SELECTED LECTURES AND PANELS
2008 MOCA Los Angeles Summer Studio Visit Participant, Los Angeles, CA
2007 MOCA Los Angeles Summer Studio Visit Participant, Los Angeles, CA
2005 Advanced Painting Seminar Participant, Arizona State University, Painting Department, Tempe, AZ
2004 Visiting Artist, Lecturer, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Painting Department, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Lecturer, Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, AZ

BIBLIOGRAPHY
2014 David Pagel, "Dreamy disquiet in Matthew Penkala's colorful paintings," Los Angeles Times, January, 2014 (link)
2011 David Pagel, ‘Perfect Fusion’ (Santa Fe, NM: David Richard Contemporary, 2011) w/ photo reproductions 
Lawrence Rinder - Director, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, New American Paintings, Pacific Coast Competition (w/ photo reproductions)
2005 Mannisto, Glen, “A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood,” Metro Times Detroit, February, 2005 
2004 Sousanis, Nick, thedetroiter.com, February, 2004 (w/ photo reproductions)
2003 Glen Mannisto, ‘Bones of Clouds: Some Recent Experiences of Chance’ (catalog)
2002 Tysh, George, ‘Minding the Art’ Metro Times Detroit, April 24, 2002
Tysh, George, ‘After Midnight –Art all night’ Metro Times Detroit, March 13, 2002 (w/ photos)
MFA Graduate Thesis Exhibitions Catalog, Cranbrook Academy of Art (w/ photos) Cranbrook Academy of Art Catalog, Cranbrook Academy of Art (w/ photos)
2001 Wade, Carla, ‘Media Circus’ Phoenix New Times, March 23, 2000 (w/ photos)

AWARDS
2010 Noteworthy Artist/ Juror’s Pick, New American Paintings 2010, Juror: Lawrence Rinder, Director, Berkeley Art Museum
2002 Joan Mitchell Foundation 2002, MFA Grant Awards in the Visual Arts, Nomination 
2001 Merit Scholarship, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Women’s Committee Scholarship, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Teaching Assistantship, Cranbrook Academy of Art Painting Department, Bloomfield Hills, MI 
1998 Harold Alpert Memorial Scholarship, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
ASU Regents Scholarship, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
ASU Award for Excellence in Photography, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 1997 J Russel and Bonita Scholarship Endowment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

COLLECTIONS
Neiman Marcus Collection, Houston, Texas
Maxine and Stuart Frankel Collection, Bloomfield HIlls, Michigan
Daimler-Chrysler Permanent Collection, Southfield, Michigan
Nishiumeda Collection, Tokyo, Japan
Irene Hofmann, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Wendy Silverman, Birmingham, Michigan