A. Matthews
Fine Arts - Bronze Sculptures
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Saxophonist (1992)
$23,500.00
Maquette (1994) $7,500.00
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Slide Trombonist (1993) $23,500.00
Maquette (1995) $7,500.00
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Fiddler (1992) $23,500.00
Maquette (1994) $7,500.00
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Trumpeter
(1993) $23,500.00
Maquette (1995) $7,500.00
Final Ovation-Miles (1996) $28,500.00
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Banjo Man (1991) $23,500.00
Maquette (1994) $7,500.00
The Evolution of Jazz
The inspiration for Matthews' body of work honoring
musicians was Louis Hottot (1834-1905), a French artist whose sculptures he
had long admired. As a collector, he fell in love with and eventually
acquired one of Hottot's terra cotta sculptures, a banjo player, which had
been cast by Goldscheider in the late 1800's. With fevered inspiration, he
produced
Banjo Man as a tribute to this fine artist. Matthews often
imagined what other pieces Hottot might have done with the same theme, and
created his most well known pieces with those thoughts in mind, leading to
the original suite of
Banjo Man,
Fiddler,
Saxophonist,
Trumpeter, and
Slide Trombonist. In addition to his recognition of the mastery
of Louis Hottot, these minstrels serve as Matthews' tribute to the black
contribution to America's music culture. Matthews has expanded that series with tributes to
modern jazz musicians, releasing
Hot Horn based on Dizzy Gillespie,
Final Ovation based on Miles Davis, and
Sizzlin' Sax based on Charlie Parker.
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Hot Horn-Dizzy (1994) $28,500.00
Maquette (1996) $7,500.00
Mundy Buck (2001)
$38,500.00
View 1
Mundy Buck
View 2
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A. Matthews
Come and visit our Bed and Breakfast, located on the
Salmon River in Challis, Idaho.
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Artist's Bio: A. Matthews
A. Matthews is an
entrepreneur, world traveler, thrill seeker, art lover, champion race car
driver, treasure hunter, and collector. Born in Winston-Salem, North
Carolina, Matthews spent his early childhood playing with black children at
the tobacco warehouses, while his father sorted and sold tobacco. After
relocating to California, Matthews, a current resident of Challis, Idaho,
found fame and fortune as a diamond importer, jewelry designer and
manufacturer.
Matthews was instructed in wood sculpture and sold
numerous pieces of his art at an early age; however, he credits his mother
with developing his interest in working with clay when he was nine years
old. it was her hobby and they had a potter's wheel and kiln in their home.
Matthews received instruction in sculpting and assistance with the design of
his minstrels by his mentor, D.A. Russo, former protégé of Pablo Picasso,
who gave Matthews some of Picasso's sculpting tools.
Matthews' work has been influenced by fond memories from his childhood
in North Carolina. He recalls the black workers relaxing with their music
and drink at the end of their long work week. The essence of that wonderful
spirit has been captured in his sculptures. With Matthews direction, the
foundry has achieved exactly the patina he required for this effect.
Matthews has been awarded the
Bronze Award, Art of California magazine "Discovery Awards" in
1992 and the People's Choice Award, Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts
in 1994
Contact and Sales Information
A. Matthews
sales@idahoartnet.com or
relax@rainbowsendbb.com
Phone: 208-879-5999 ~~ Fax: 208-879-5998
PO Box 1146, Challis, Idaho 83226
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