A solo exhibition featuring new works
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Matt Jacksons opening reception at Daydream for "Love Lights" was July 12 2025. Live tunes were provided by Jonny Roundhouse and the Vibra-tones and the flag was flying high.
Matt Jackson is a visual artist based in Brooklyn, NY. His work explores abstraction through mixed media, paint, and found objects—arranging elements into intuitive, often chaotic compositions that seek visual harmony rather than literal meaning. He invites viewers to let go and experience the work through personal instinct and imagination.
His latest exhibition, Love Lights, was born from a reaction to current events and the need to express unity through creativity. The title coming from one central piece—a grid of small canvases all constructed around a single shape—became a formal experiment in variation within constraint. Each canvas stands as an individual expression, yet when viewed together, they create a powerful, collective rhythm. The work celebrates diversity, individuality, and community: a reminder that we are brighter together. As the artist notes, “Now more than ever, turn on your love light.”
We sat down with Matt to talk art, life, surfing...
Let’s get into your background for those who haven’t met you yet. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the east coast town of Virginia Beach. More specifically Sandbridge. A small beach community that starts off the Outer Banks barrier island chain.
How did you first get into art?
I loved drawing as a kid. I would draw a lot of tractors and fighter jets. Then when I was in high school I started designing the shirts and stickers for a local surf shop, Pungo Board House.
Where did you go to college and how did that experience influence your artwork?
I started at a community college with no idea of what I wanted to do in life. I knew I wanted to make art and be in a creative field but lacked direction. When two friends came to visit me they changed my life. They went to Savannah College of Art and Design and convinced me to transfer down there. Those were some of the most profound years of my life. I met my best friends to this day. I met my wife. The timing was right. It was a hot bed of talented, creative and diverse people all doing inspiring things. It’s depressing to think of where I would be had I not made the move down there.
You’re living in Brooklyn now, surrounded by creativity and artwork everywhere. You have a home studio and a rhythm with art and work and surfing all balancing. How has your work matured in this stage of your life?
I think in these past few years I have really been able to carve out the time for my artwork and be super intentional with setting and achieving goals. I am also one who loves the experimentation phase of the process, trying new things and finding new materials. And while that is such a comforting and liberating stage to live in, you really need to complete the creative cycle; experimentation, honing the craft and finalizing the work to really mature as an artist.
Tell us about your current creative process. What does the life cycle of work in your studio look like?
For me, I need to have multiple pieces going at once. The bigger collage pieces take a lot of time and those will be up in the studio just staring at me. They can be pretty intimidating and sometimes I don't know the next move so I often have other smaller works going that are lower stakes and easier to navigate. Little wins on the small guys give me courage to make a move on the bigger ones.
How does surfing influence you creatively?
Surfing is at the core of everything. Everything from the physical things like textures, landscapes, and experiences traveling to the more non tactile things like the unpredictability, energy and the way I feel after surfing and being out in the ocean. I’ve always felt more myself after leaving the beach. And being comfortable with who you are is what makes powerful art.
Can you tell us about some of your side projects like Earth Is Cool?
I have always wanted to create a brand that spreads a positive message. Earth Is Cool is a result of Covid-times and an attempt to create a unifying movement via some hats and shirts.
It was my response as a creative person being silo’d from friends and family during weird times.
What have been your favorite exhibitions?
The surf community, wherever you live, is generally lucky to be so saturated with creative folks. One of my favorite shows that I was a part of and lucky enough to curate was Plungers in 2022. It was a group show of diverse and talented artists from across the country all displaying their work in New York City. It was at the tail end of Covid and felt like a greater celebration than anything I could have planned. Such a sick turnout. Vibes were high. Forever grateful for that opportunity.
How do you know when a piece is finished?
Some are more literal than others. Like right now I have a commission hanging on the wall in our guest room that has been there for like 6 months just mean-muggin’ me, unfinished. Still trying to find the next step on it. I have to be around them for a while before the decision is made.
What’s your studio vibe like? music, silence, snacks, rituals?
I feel like I have a split personality. Some days I need music to motivate me and hit that flow state and some days silence is the best. Some days it's a few hours of an audio book that I’ll never listen to again. Sometimes it’s eating lunch in there and having a few beers. Sometimes its a productive day and I forget to eat. The one fairly consistent element is a large pot of coffee for the day. My dog is often hanging out there too.
What do you do when you feel stuck creatively?
When I am not surfing or am being consumed by the 9-5 gig.
What’s something you’re excited about for the next season of your creative life?
I feel momentum in these past few years that I just really want to keep up. Find new opportunities and creative relationships. My wife is pregnant so I’m sure that will shake some things up… in a good way!
If you could show your work anywhere in the world, or even not on Earth, where would it be?
Underwater? You have to scuba down to it? I feel like the silence of being underwater weightless would be a cool way to interact with art. My friend just had a sick show in a bodega in the East Village. I like when people show outside of the white boxes that are the current galleries of the artworld. It would be cool to be in a museum though. That feels like you’ve made your mark in art history.
What does success look like for you now, and has that changed over time?
Success to me is creating and being creative. Being a good partner and dogfather. Living a life that is pure and conscience of others. Surfing as much as possible. I feel like I have always been on that track. Money is great and essential but it’s always been further down on the list for me.
Dream surf trip: where are you going, what board are you riding, and what’s in your cooler?
Man, I think I had my dream surf trip already. Two years ago me and 10 of the best lads took a catamaran around the BVIs and absolutely scored. That zone is so fickle and we nailed it timing wise. 12 days of perfect waves. I was riding a 6’0’ Red Beauty. Coolers were busting with Red Stripes. Positive vibrations!
We know you’re Boomer’s #1 fan (Matt’s dog). If Boomer had his own art show, what kind of work would he make?
I think Boomer would collect found objects and organize them in some sort of dog rationale. A catalog. They would be displayed in shadowboxes. He would blow dog’s minds.
If you and Boomer started a band together, what would you be called and who plays what?
We would be in a band called Snoozer and the music would be ambient jazz. Boomer plays the xylophone and I’d back him on glass harp.
If you had to trade places with another artist (living or dead) for one week, who would it be and why?
Oh man. I think I would choose Paul Gauguin when he spent time in Tahiti in the 1890s. I love the body of work that he created during this time. The colors are mindblowing. The landscapes are vivid and consuming. A look behind the curtain of his mind at that time would be priceless.
What’s one tool or supply in your studio that you can’t live without?
The brush
What’s your favorite color?
Yellow