Matthew Clarke - Koroit Theatre

Artist biography

Matthew Clarke is a contemporary artist based in Warrnambool who has been drawing for as long as he can remember. Since beginning his art studies at South West TAFE in 2005, he has developed a distinctive practice working across painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture.

Matthew's colourful, expressive works are inspired by the people, places and experiences that are meaningful to him. From portraits and self-portraits to birds, wallabies, travel and regional landscapes, his paintings celebrate the everyday with honesty, humour and joy.

Matthew has exhibited nationally and internationally, with works held in major public and private collections including the National Gallery of Victoria. He has been a finalist in the Archibald, Sulman and Wynne Prizes at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, among many other significant awards and exhibitions. Matthew previously lived in Koroit and attended Koroit Primary School, where he has fond memories of performing at the Koroit Theatre.

Matthew often says, "I like to paint to make people happy." That simple philosophy continues to shape his creative practice today.

Find out more about Matthew Clarke

Matthew Clarke's Instagram 

About the artworks

Paul Kelly Backstage Pass 11pm

This painting was inspired by being part of the Melbourne RISING Festival in 2023. We were given tickets to the Paul Kelly concert and had the opportunity to meet Paul backstage, where we completed the initial drawings for this portrait. I’m proud to have both Paul Kelly and Siân following my work.

Wonderful Day Out in Melbourne

This is a Melbourne cityscape. While I love living in South West Victoria, I also love visiting Melbourne, often just for a day trip. This painting was inspired by one of those visits.

Self Portrait – Lost in Hay Street

This painting was inspired by a trip to Perth and my experience on Hay Street. I felt both overwhelmed and excited by the energy of the city. The work was selected for the Lester Prize at the Western Australian Museum.

Colourful portrait painting of a standing figure with a bright pink face, square glasses and a long red nose, wearing a black shirt, blue trousers and grey shoes. A red guitar lies on the ground beside the figure against a bold background of turquoise, white, yellow and green with expressive black linework.

Matthew Clarke, Paul Kelly Backstage Pass 11pm, 2023

(JPG, 8MB)
A colourful self-portrait by Matthew Clarke showing a pink-faced figure pointing towards a tall, patterned building labelled

Matthew Clarke, Self Portrait, Wonderful Day Out in Melbourne, 2025

(JPG, 4MB)
A colourful self-portrait by Matthew Clarke showing a pink-faced figure with red hair and beard, wearing an orange shirt and standing beside a tall patterned building. The painting features bold colours, geometric forms and expressive black-and-white linework.

Matthew Clarke, Self Portrait, Lost in Hay Street, 2023

(JPG, 7MB)
Artist Matthew Clarke standing beside one of his large-scale artworks selected for the Creative Moyne temporary public art program. The colourful self-portrait features a pink-faced figure in an orange shirt standing beside a tall patterned building, painted in Matthew's distinctive expressive style.

Matthew Clarke

(JPEG, 3MB)
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