About
“Paul Mathieson’s vision is unique: it draws inspiration from a myriad of sources: the blues, poetry, the latest news headlines, people and the city around him… all these elements coming together in an amalgamated layering of colour, shape and ideas, resulting in mysterious and darkly complex images that leave the viewer to gradually peel away the many layers of meaning.”
- Peter Buckland
Paul Mathieson has been an exhibiting artist for the past four decades. His work is a part of many collections, including the New Brunswick Art Bank, New Brunswick Museum, University of New Brunswick, Beaverbrooke Art Gallery, and more. Paul uses urban settings to examines the human condition and the experiences and emotional states encompassed within. His figurative paintings are narrative in nature drawing on observation, memory, imagination, history and contemporary culture. Paul has established himself as a prominent figure within Atlantic Canadian Art. In 2015 he was the recipient of the prestigious Strathbutler Award for significant contributions within his field. He currently resides with his wife outside the city of Saint John, New Brunswick - a place that continues to be a source of inspiration for his paintings.
Paul Mathieson currently exhibits through Gallery 78 in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
www.gallery78.com
Biography and Historical Notes
Born in England in 1949.
Educated at various institutions in England and the United States.
Attended Bradford College of Art, Bradford, UK 1966 – 1969.
Managed The Lane Art Gallery, Bradford, UK, 1969 – 1970. Exhibited notable artists: David Hockney, Ralph Steadman, The Printmakers Council and Geri Morgan.
Bachelor of Art and Education. (First Class Honours). 1975. University of Nottingham, England.
Master of Art and Education. 1978. University of London, England.
Exhibited work while still a student. Nottingham Playhouse, UK. 1975. Two-man exhibition of paintings.
Graffiti Gallery, London, UK and Zella 9 Gallery, London, UK 1978. Lithographs.
Invited to exhibit at Christies’ Art Department, London, UK. (but couldn’t afford the frames).
Paul and his wife, Victoria, emigrated to Canada in 1975 and have three sons.
Taught Art, principally at the High School level from 1975 – 2006 when he retired from teaching.
Paul has continually painted and exhibited throughout his teaching career. He now paints full time.
Shortlisted for the Strathbutler Award, 2009.
Along the Way
Paul and his wife have travelled extensively throughout Canada, United States, Britain, Europe, Iceland, Ghana and Nigeria.
Paul worked as a musician with a poetry theatre group in England, collaborating with noted British poets, Adrian Mitchell and Keith Knowles.
He was invited to perform at the Edinburgh Festival, Scotland but couldn’t afford the train fare.
Paul worked at various jobs – musician, assistant to a silk screen printer, margarine tub packer, graveyard worker, dishwasher in a Chinese restaurant in Iceland.