The Varied Works by Matthew Morpheus

Colorful abstract sheets — *The First After God*, Graphic, Gel roll pen on paper, 38 х 30 in., 2017.

I grew up in Ukraine, the heart of the freedom-loving Cossacks, surrounded by the rich cultural heritage of my people who had a strong influence on my artistic path. My interest in art began at a young age, soaking up the diverse visual images I encountered on a daily basis.

Instead of formal art classes, I learnt on the streets, where vibrant graffiti and street art became my school. I travelled extensively, absorbing the diverse art styles of the places I lived in, including Israel and the UK.

Black and white abstract shapes — *Whales*, Graphic, Gel roll pen on paper, 11.7 х 8.2 in., 1998.

My journey in art began with black and white graphics. I was captivated by the simplicity and immediacy of a simple black gel pen and white paper, which allowed me to freely express my thoughts and emotions.

Black and white takes the viewer’s attention away from color, allowing them to focus on form, texture and contrast. This combination can create powerful emotions by drawing attention to the subtleties of light and shadow.

I prefer to use black and white when I want to convey a sense of timelessness or when a narrative requires more dramatic expression. It can heighten the emotional resonance, evoking feelings of loneliness, reflection or even tension.

Ultimately, the decision to work in black and white is dictated by the desire to create specific themes and atmosphere. When I made The Way of a Pilgrim (above) in black and white, it was intentional. Black and white strips away the distraction of color, allowing each viewer to project his own emotions and interpretations onto the piece. Color, while powerful, can sometimes dictate the mood and focus too heavily, whereas black and white invites imagination and introspection.

Initially I focused on black and white abstraction, but as I became more confident, I began experimenting with colored pens and mixed media techniques. I moved on to conceptual art, where I discovered the richness and depth of color.

Colorful abstract shapes — *Conquistador*, Graphic, Gel roll pen on paper, 38 х 30 in., 2017.

Achieving such rich and vivid colors is a combination of technique, material, and intuition. I start by choosing high quality, expensive pens made by SAKURA, Japan, which allow me to achieve maximum color saturation. Ultimately it’s about finding the right balance and harmony to evoke certain emotions.

Whether I am working with traditional materials or digital media, I focus on layering and blending to create a sense of saturation that mesmerizes the viewer.

When working digitally, I employ a range of techniques to create a multi-dimensional effect.

For example, I change the scale of objects to focus attention on important details or overlay one object on top of another to create the effect of depth. I also apply different textures to enhance the perception of objects.

This evolution reflects my desire to challenge traditional boundaries in art. I am developing further by creating a multi-layered installation where I can engage the viewer’s tactile, auditory and visual senses.

Collage of Mona Lisa with different faces in different positions and situations — *The Secret Life of Mona Lisa*, Digital Collage, 8.2 х 11.7 in., 2022.

The appeal of collage lies in its ability to combine disparate elements into a coherent narrative or visual experience.

Digital collaging offers many more benefits than if I made collages by hand. Collage allows multiple stories and perspectives.

Collage of different people and circus images — *Circus*, Digital Collage, 8.2 х 11.7 in., 2022.

My collage-making process begins by gathering a variety of material from the internet—from news backgrounds to old memes and visual ‘clues’. I select and arrange these elements, focusing on the details that resonate with the theme or emotion I want to convey.

Next, I arrange and rearrange these pieces, experimenting with different compositions until I find a harmonious balance. This part of the process is very fluid and organic, leading to unexpected and exciting discoveries.

*New World Order*, Digital Collage, 8.2 х 11.7 in., 2022.

The themes of my collages often revolve around the interplay between chaos and order. My work also touches on social upheaval and crises, capturing moments that seem both fleeting and eternal.

Collage of different people and street scenes — *New Gods*, Digital Collage, 8.2 х 11.7 in., 2022.

I discovered this genre by chance in 2022 when representatives of the Chinese NFT MAZE Marketplace, with its platform for promoting digital art, asked me to create some works of art for them.

Collage with many different random images — *Patriot Games*, Digital Collage, 8.2 х 11.7 in., 2022.

My artwork is meant to awaken curiosity, inviting the viewer to explore and uncover his own interpretations and perceptions of reality.

Ultimately, my digital works embody a synthesis of the visual and the virtual. The digital medium allows me to alter and refine my work almost endlessly, which I find incredibly freeing.

I draw inspiration from music. Space ambient or Epic war music, it depends on my mood. Music is the conduit that provokes my thought processes to create whole imaginary worlds.

Collage of images of peace and images of war — *Agony*, Digital Collage, 8.2 х 11.7 in., 2022.

The war in Ukraine is a very painful topic. It has certainly had a profound impact on my work, my life and the lives of my loved ones. Observing the resilience of my homeland has pushed me to explore the themes of conflict, loss, and hope more intensely. The war has also heightened my awareness of the power of art as a means of expression and resistance.

My art has become a means of processing these turbulent times, capturing these emotions that arise from such experiences. Colors become more intense, compositions more chaotic and the overall message more poignant, reflecting the harsh reality and indomitable spirit of people affected by war.

I hear the echo of protests, I see the reflections of revolutions. And every pixel in the collage is the shadows of digital cities. My collages are a path that leads to new freedoms. And every line of the canvas is a struggle; this is a sound, this is an era of change.

Silhouette of person in front of sun and colorful sky — *Alone*, Digital, Collage, 8.2 х 11.7 in., 2022.

I am incredibly lucky to find myself in Edinburgh, in the beautiful country of Scotland, where I became part of the Abandoned Artist Group. This forced relocation in August 2022 has expanded my creative voice, adding an awareness of the fragility of our transient world in the midst of chaos, in the human spirit’s ongoing search for beauty and solace.

Matthew Morpheus ( Serhii Matveichenko), a Ukrainian-born artist, blends graphics, collage, and aerosol paints to create works that resonate with global audiences.

In collaboration with Artboxy, Morpheus’ work has been shown in Paris, Zurich, Venice, Berlin, Athens, Dubai, Palma as well as in Beijing, Moscow and New York. He has won numerous awards including first place in abstracts at New York Realism Fine Art Gallery (2014); first place in abstracts, Art Weeks in China (2017), first place in abstracts, “Art Geography Award,” at the World Art Forum (Russia 2017); and the People’s Choice Award for The Portal of Independent Artists (Ukraine, 2017). He also won recognition in political commentary in the U.S.’s Art Collectors 2024 choice awards. In 2024 in Edinburgh, he launched “Abandoned Artists,” a Ukrainian Modern and Contemporary Art show at 24 Art Gallery.

Morpheus is currently immersed in a project that explores the intersection of digital and physical reality. It’s an installation that combines information art with traditional art to create an interactive experience. Its aim is to challenge perceptions of space and reality. The work will be shown this summer for the first time at the Edinburgh Fair.