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Matthew Raw | Episode 1016
Matthew Raw’s work uses clay to explore community, language, and social history. With a particular focus on ceramic tiles, Matthew often involve social making, and attempts to strike a balance between the historical and future. Matthew has shown and installed work across the United Kingdom, in the United States, and throughout Europe. Matthew’s practice exists between galleries, museums, the public realm, interior design, residencies, and education establishments.
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Do you feel like there is a difference between craftmanship and artistry?
For a long time in Britain, I don’t know about the States, there was or there is conversation about the difference between craft and art. I remember first hearing it and not being interested and now I’m still not interested because I feel like it’s categorization and for the sake of I don’t know what. And I guess I enjoy my work being seen and moving between worlds whether that’s interior design, architecture, in a gallery, in an exhibition with fantastically skilled people whether they are crafts people or artists. So I don’t mean to sound blasé but it essentially doesn’t concern me.
Do you think it is the idea behind the work that changes the outcome?
Maybe. But I think it’s difficult because in the….there shouldn’t be a hierarchy essentially between art and craft, so if I were to say to someone my work is ideas led, which it is. It genuinely starts with an idea and then it’s how to express that idea. It’s just that I love working with clay and I feel that clay is the medium that I can do that with. Some people would say you are limiting yourself saying you only work with one material, but I have that connection and that’s how I do it. By me saying it’s ideas led I am not trying to elevate anything. I am just saying when I was at school instead of going into the workshop and playing around with material until an idea came I would go into the workshop thinking, I want to talk about the asylum process in Britain through the medium of clay. and then I would have to work it out.
Does that suggest that you have responded to the market?
It’s always nice when somebody wants your work and likes your work. It’s nice when someone like yourself says, That piece of furniture is absolutely beautiful. And I think That’s fine but what about my piece from three years ago. I am at peace with it now. I think I did respond to the market but I think I also responded to my being a dad as well.
Do you find it difficult to be self promoting?
I find it difficult to find the time to self promote, yes.
That’s a funny way to answer, you are saying, find the time and I am asking about the emotional weight that comes with it. So that’s not a difficulty for you then?
No, I like talking about my work because if I am talking about my work I am probably talking to someone interesting in an interesting place and learning about them and learning about our world or a different world. I like the butterflies and the nervousness and that chance and if that’s me talking about my work then I am happy to do that. But I do struggle to prioritize it and when I need help I get help with it.
Do you find difficulty living a life that has unpredictable income?
No, because that’s how I grew up. And no because I can. I have always been freelance and you have to back yourself in order to manage projects. It’s strange, it’s a global financial thing at the moment but I am having to hustle in a way that I didn’t have to a few years ago.
How are you helping to build the world?
I like the idea that I have a few murals out there. Furniture is going to be in people’s homes and that’s fine and hopefully they are going to enjoy those pieces but murals for the public really excite me because you are out there and you are open to scrutiny and you’ve got to get it right. But it’s an artwork so not everyone is going to like it. So I think if the ideas are good behind it and you have explored the area and who’s it for essentially, I like that challenge. And I like those pieces being out there. And I think I am excited to make more pieces and hopefully better pieces. But that is not changing the world, but they are in the world.
Book
Humanise by Thomas Heatherwick
Contact
Instagram: @mattrawworksinclay