Velocity Bloom, Contemporary Gestural Abstract Painting by Matt Higgins

Details

Description

This large-scale oil painting on a wood panel bursts with kinetic energy and bold color, dominated by a vivid red … Read more This large-scale oil painting on a wood panel bursts with kinetic energy and bold color, dominated by a vivid red background that envelops and contrasts with dynamic strokes of blue, yellow, and white. The abstract composition appears to loosely suggest a central figure or form in motion, with sweeping, wing-like extensions and an upward-reaching posture. The white negative space carved through the core of the painting gives a sense of light and structure, while spontaneous dashes of red and yellow heighten the piece’s vitality. Thick, textured brushstrokes and expressive, layered gestures lend a tactile quality.

Executed in oil, the painting takes full advantage of the medium, allowing for vibrant layering and bold, confident marks. The wood panel provides a solid, unforgiving surface that enhances the work’s raw energy, making each brushstroke stand firm and visible. There’s an intentional chaos in the way colors are applied—some areas dense with impasto, others scratched and scraped back to reveal the layers beneath. The scale of the piece commands attention, immersing the viewer in a whirlwind of movement and emotion, suggestive of both conflict and exuberance. This is a work that resists interpretation, insisting instead on a visceral, immediate response.

The painting is signed on the back.

Matt Higgins b. 1987 is both an artist and an art professor based in Philadelphia, PA. He engages in a consistent studio practice, with a primary focus on painting across various bodies of work. He received his BFA from West Chester University in 2011 and his MFA from The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2017. As well as maintaining a regular studio practice, he teaches at a few schools in the area including Drexel University, Delaware County Community College and Moore College of Art and Design. His art is included in numerous private collections and has been featured in a diverse range of interior design projects, spanning residential properties, corporations, and hotels. Both his home and studio are located in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, where he lives with his wife and son. See less