Rob Matthews
The Card Player
From the Artist
“This painting was created in concert with a few others to reflect on issues of occupation and power. The face is that of Mark Sykes, one of the negotiators of the Sykes-Picot agreement. Depicting him as a card player positions him as strategic, but his success or failure hinges on gambling and blind luck.”
About the Artwork
The Card Player was originally created by Matthews using acrylic and gouache on canvas. This Archival Pigment Print features a detailed reproduction of the original painting, capturing each meticulous paint stroke and subtle tonal shift.
Curatorial Opinion
Painter Rob Matthews combines two historical art movements in his artwork; Northern Renaissance portraiture and Cubism. These disparate movements, (from the 15th and 20th centuries, respectively) manipulate the viewer’s perspective by bringing the background forward, and creating multiple viewpoints. This flatness supplies ample ground for the geometric abstraction that Matthews imposes on the central figure. In The Card Player, Matthews was reflecting on issues of occupation and power.
About the Artist
Rob Matthews (b.1974, Wilson, NC) is a superbly technical artist whose subjects are laden with narratives often drawn from historical events and figures. The formal qualities of his work are steeped in history as well – his expert linework and attention to detail illustrate his interest in centuries-old traditional drawing practices.
Read MoreAbout the Process
Haystack collaborates with traditional printmakers and digital printers to ensure each artist’s print reflects the most important aspects of their studio practice. The Card Player was printed by G.Moulin Limited Editions. Each Archival Pigment Print was digitally printed with a lab-calibrated inkjet printer using pigment-based inks (this process is also known as Giclée printing). The 100% cotton paper has a smooth texture and the purest natural white tone available, allowing for every visual subtlety and tonal transition in the artwork to be reproduced at the highest quality.
