Contemporary artist Matthew Dibble is celebrated for abstract modern art which explores the relationship between inner and outer states of being. He is known for his bold, dynamic paintings with evocative colours and expressive gestural marks. The American abstract painter has also gained acclaim for his innovative collage work, inspired by art history and anthropology.
Early Life and Education
Matthew Dibble was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from the Cooper School of Art in 1978, he spent over three decades in the construction industry before transitioning fully to art.
His experience with form and structure has shaped his style of art, allowing him to approach each stage of his creative process with precision and a deep understanding of craftsmanship. Dibble’s foundation in construction can be seen in his layered, linear abstract paintings, with their structured compositions and dynamic interplay of form and space, and movement.
Artistic Style and Influences
Gestural Abstraction and Figurative Distortion
Matthew Dibble's art is defined by the boldness and sincerity of his technique, showcasing a masterful use of gestural abstraction to explore the intricate relationship between inner and outer states of being. His dynamic paintings blend vigorous brushwork with a deep emotional resonance, creating compositions that are both visually striking and introspective.
Dibble’s monochrome paintings draw the viewer in through advancing and receding planes that construct hypnotic depth. His collage art merges fragmented figurative forms, balancing spontaneous expression with meticulous structural harmony.
Photomontages such as Dormant Cipher (2024) create arching architectural structures from anthropological artefacts. The fused objects become a code to be unlocked, playing with the insight historical finds and cultural relics can provide into the human psyche.
Inspirations: De Kooning, Pollock, and Krasner
Matthew Dibble’s art is rooted in the legacy of the Abstract Expressionist movement of the 1940s and 1950s. His gestural mark-making and daring approach to form and structure resonate with the movement’s focus on spontaneity and emotional authenticity. Striving for sincerity in his art, Dibble’s work embodies a dynamic energy that captures both the chaos and harmony of modern life, positioning him as a compelling voice in contemporary abstract painting.
The artist’s Abstract Expressionist approach echoes artists such as Willem de Kooning’s raw, expressive brushstrokes, Jackson Pollock's dynamic, spontaneous energy, and Lee Krasner's exploration of personal expression, form, and colour.
The artwork Apprehension (2024) combines art historical knowledge with emotional candour. Dibble mimics Pollock’s ‘drip technique’, spilling and drizzling paint onto the canvas, creating a mesh of black and yellow oil paint, with an interwoven structure of red, white and blue below.
Notable Exhibitions and Collections
Matthew Dibble’s art is widely recognised across the United States, with his work featured in notable exhibitions such as ‘Useful Pressures’ at First Street Gallery in New York, which highlighted his dynamic approach to abstraction and exploration of form.
He has held solo exhibitions at Tregoning and Co. Gallery in Cleveland, earning critical acclaim for his daring techniques. Additionally, Dibble's large-scale paintings were commissioned for Cleveland's Hilton Hotel. His exhibitions continue to engage audiences through their fearless energy and distinct visual narrative.
"I’m trying to make something with heart and authenticity, flavored with experimentation and discovery."