[Milo Matthieu](http://www.milomatthieu.com/) is a Brooklyn-based artist who works primarily in mixed media. He is known for his textured collages, set on wood panels. Although he originally studied photography at school, his experimentation with other mediums led him to create the type of layered works featured here. Before heading off for his upcoming residency in La Brea, Los Angeles, we spoke with Matthieu about his work, and what is yet to come from the artist.
**_You often use collage work on wooden panels. How did these mediums come to be your preferred tools for creation?_**
I've always had an enjoyment of working with wood, that's where the natural gravitation towards the medium grew. I use other mediums like paper and foam core to create depth and reliefs within the work. For me, the most important aspect of the work is texture.
**_You've spoken in the past about “the feeling of familiarity” being an important element in your art. How do you think that is translated to the viewer?_**
Psychic automatism is the practice of thought at its purest form, absent of any control exercised by reason, allowing unconscious thoughts to prevail. I believe that these subconscious thoughts are pulled from shared experiences. When telling these stories, the audience experiences moments of their own truths, moments of familiarity.
**_You have a ‘love/hate relationship’ with social media, and that pops up in your work. What led to that relationship, especially when most people can't seem to disconnect from the internet?_**
The internet is a hectic realm. I think it's easy to get lost there. Though, it's hard for an artist, present-day, not to take part in this great race. We are forced to participate so that we can be taken seriously by our peers. It's a funny paradigm. I do recognize it's brilliance for innovation in communication, but there's a level of deception that I can't rock with.
**_You're making the move from NYC to LA, are you looking forward to the change in scenery? Do you think the change will be reflected in the work you create?_**
I'm looking forward to the change of scenery. I try to travel often throughout the year so that I can keep my mind clear and inspired. New York is home, but it can be emotionally depleting at times.
I'm sure Los Angeles will have a great impact on the work. The environment is very crucial to my process, images stored as colors, and shapes waiting to be expressed.
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**_You studied photography in school. How does that factor into your current work?_**
Photography has played a huge role in the development of my work. My process began with painting on my own photographs. It's how the layering aspect of my work was born. Even though I am not a practicing photographer, I still have a great love for the medium. Now, I photograph the people that surround me while I travel- I miss the concept of having physical family photo albums. I'm worried that the more technology advances, the less relevant a photo will have as an art form. The further we move away from the human hand, the more it can be replicated and mass-produced. Yet, photography is a very ambitious medium that will continue to prosper in the commercial realm.
**_An artist's work-space can be very important to the artistic process. How does your space work for you?_**
There needs to be a strong level of comfort with my surroundings to fully allow myself to create. Whether it's the physical space or the people that fill it, we all need to be on a similar understanding of the mission at hand. I enjoy having certain people around to help me push my limitations, but I primarily enjoy working alone. It allows me to escape the physicalities of being fully present.
**_What should we look out for in your months ahead?_**
I have two confirmed shows with my London gallery, Beers London. The first one is a dual show in New York at Future Fair, alongside Adébayo Bolaji, and the second will be my debut solo show with the gallery in London. I'm taking this next month at the La Brea Residency to work with new mediums and continue to experiment.
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Photography by Devin Blaskovich
Introduction by Sophie Lee
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