About
Shifting between Ancient Christian themes, Modernist art history's layering and a contemporary desire to touch the real art object, Matthew Hurdle uses time-consuming meditative papermaking techniques to examine guilt and humility.
By transforming ash-stained sackcloth into fibrous paper, a compelling narrative unfolds. Hurdle's practice extends on the work of American physician and artist Dr Eric Avery, who demonstrates the transformative process that papermaking can have when dealing with guilt and trauma through the process of neurogenesis in the human brain.
In this context, Hurdle's work extols people to seek the renewal of the mind and invites a tactile engagement, encouraging viewers to connect deeply with the subtle nuances of the surface. These quiet abstractions provide a fortifying space for audiences to contemplate the beauty, texture and labour of art.
Hurdle is a graduate of the Queensland College of Art and Design, where he earned a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours). He has exhibited nationally and internationally at venues such as Sydney Contemporary and the Aotearoa Art Fair in collaboration with PARKER Contemporary. His work is included in the collections of the State Library of Queensland, Griffith University Art Museum, and various private collections.
Matthew Hurdle’s work is available through Brisbane-based gallery, PARKER Contemporary.
-
Education
2023 Bachelor of Visual Art (Honours), Queensland College of Art and Design, Griffith University
2022 Bachelor of Fine Art, Queensland College of Art and Design, Griffith UniversitySolo Exhibitions
2025 Matthew Hurdle: Should I remember you, PARKER Contemporary, Brisbane
2023 Use your Words, Glass Box, Griffith University, Brisbane
2022 Atonement, Machinery Street Gallery, Brisbane
2020 Letter Pressed, Inala Art Gallery, BrisbaneGroup Exhibitions
2026 Sydney Contemporary, Sydney (upcoming)
2026 In Circulation: Winter, PARKER Contemporary, South Brisbane
2025 Contemporaries: Summer, PARKER Contemporary, South Brisbane
2025 Edition One, PARKER Contemporary, South Brisbane
2025 Sydney Contemporary, Sydney
2025 Aotearoa Art Fair, Auckland, NZ
2024 Sydney Contemporary, Sydney
2024 Subverting Surface | Curated by Emily Parker, Webb Gallery, Queensland College of Art and Design, Brisbane
2023 Honours Graduate Show, Queensland College of Art and Design, Brisbane
2023 The Naked Landscape, Pop Gallery, Brisbane
2022 Graduate Show, Queensland College of Art Design, Brisbane
2022 50 Shades of Life, Webb Gallery, Queensland College of Art and Design, Griffith University
2022 Echoes, Project Gallery, Queensland College of Art and Design, Brisbane
2021 Sequence, Grey Street Gallery, Queensland College of Art and Design, Griffith University
2021 Revival: Griffith Printmakers Club, Project Gallery, Griffith University, Brisbane
2021 Unpacked and Unpacking Folio Box, QCA Print Graduate Exhibition Impress Printmakers Studio and Gallery, Brisbane
2021 Print is Everything | Everything is Print, Glass Box, Griffith University, Brisbane
2021 Action in Absence, Webb Gallery, Queensland College of Art and Design, Griffith University
2021 Inward Intent, Inala Art Gallery, BrisbanePrizes & Awards
2026 Mandorla Art Award (Finalist)
2021 Excellence in Print Award, Queensland College of Art and Design, Griffith University
2021 Milani Gallery Industry Award, Highly Commended
2021 Iain Turnbull Award (Shortlisted)
2019 Billie Hall Bursary AwardExhibition Catalogues
2025 Matthew Hurdle: Should I remember you…
2024 Subverting SurfaceCollections
State Library of Queensland, Brisbane
Griffith University Art Museum, Brisbane
Private Collections (Australia)
Private Collections (New Zealand)