Matt Dosa

Matt Dosa is an abstract artist, deeply rooted in graffiti culture, whose paintings, sculptures, prints and murals share a dynamic playfulness.
Matt’s work is bright, energetic, and often collaborative. One recent mural on a Brutalist car park in North London, used flag design to tie together the local community, whilst another in New Brighton, nods to British seaside idylls. Both have become highlights of council led city regeneration projects.
‘To love a city you must find beauty in the chaos,’ says Matt. ‘You should be deeply energised by the struggle for space, by the hustle and crush, the sense that equilibrium is always just out of reach’.
As a muralist and public artist, he has produced commissions for clients including the Mayor of London, NHS, Universal Music Group, plus Centrepoint and Single Homeless Project charities.
Matt’s artworks are available as one-off paintings on birch plywood.

Caelo asks…

What has been a stand out exhibition for inspiration?
‘Beyond the streets’ at Saatchi gallery. Graffiti is the reason I got into painting and it was nice seeing work from lots of my heroes, being represented in such a monumental way
What's the project you're most proud of?
Last year I won a commission by the mayor of London, to regenerate a 200 square metre multi story carpark in North London. Working with the local community, we designed and painted over 100 colourful flags. I drive past it most days, and it always makes me smile
What's the one thing in the art industry that's not talked about, which you think should be?
That there is no correct or incorrect way to be an artist, or to navigate an art career. For instance, where the route of education and institutions work for some people, they may not for others
What would your alternative career be?
I really enjoy working with wood, and do so in my practice as much as I can, so maybe some sort of furniture designer, or cabinet maker

Your go-to tea/coffee mug is…
Massive, and in constant use!
The object that holds the most sentimental value to you is…
In 2016 I spent nearly a year in a wheelchair, after breaking both my legs.

This now makes a great studio chair, and although it’s been a bit love and hate, we’ve been through a lot together!
The teenage object of your affection was…
Spray paint
The most beautiful object you possess is…
My pet turtle, Tommy
Your most treasured second-hand or thrifted find is…
My refurbed iPad
The building that takes your breath away is…
Alexandra Palace, mainly due to nostalgia, but also the view, and its strange shape
My favourite independent shop is…
Caelo!
Money is no object. The artwork you would most like to own is…
Patrick Caulfield’s ‘Pottery’
The house is on fire. The one object you grab on the way out is..
I’m going to have to treat my two children as one object here....
Every home must have..
A Matt Dosa painting (via Caelo!)