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Tech’s Joan Derryberry Art Gallery to feature exhibit from painter, educator Matthew Capezzuto
An acrylic design by Matthew Capezzuto titled “Acrochorda.”
An exhibit by painter and educator Matthew Capezzuto will be on display in Tennessee
Tech University’s Joan Derryberry Art Gallery beginning Monday, Sept. 18 and running
through Thursday, Oct. 19.
The exhibit is part of the Center Stage fall 2023 series and will include an artist’s
talk on Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. in the gallery.
Capezzuto describes himself as, “A painter who uses digital methods and modern acrylic
paints to create images built from layers of thousands of handmade brushstrokes.”
“Painting’s novelty lies in its ability to create material illusions and sensations
that do not exist in common reality,” he said.
Capezzuto teaches at the Yale Center for British Art. He studied painting and art
history at Ohio University and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting at
the Yale School of Art.
“I believe educators should lead students to explore and address local concerns and
to become creative agents in their communities in ways that may become relevant to
other communities around the globe,” he said.
Matthew Capezzuto
In addition to featuring his own work, Capezzuto’s website offers several free activities
designed to aid other art educators as they teach students to explore various art
forms.
Likewise, he brings his commitment to education to the way he views art and the creative
process.
“To transform dull material into something surprising is an impulse that begins in
childhood,” he said, adding that his process has allowed him to develop “a repertoire
of materials and combinations of materials that afford primary ways of making.”
Capezzuto seeks out simplified ways of engaging with more advanced existing processes,
such as glass staining, mold making, and relief printing.
“I’ve found delight in playing with clay, appreciating its most basic physical properties,”
he said.
Aside from the inspiration he finds in art education, Capezzuto started learning to
use Adobe Photoshop in his teens and said, “As I grew older and developed an awareness
and interest in contemporary painting, I began using this and related software to
make mockups of paintings.”
“I could copy, paste, resize, and stretch shapes and whole regions of a painting composition,”
Capezzuto continued. “Recently these actions fundamental to a digital graphical space
have become central elements of my painting compositions.
“The goal of these actions in these paintings is to create the uncanny illusion of
multiple productions of unique forms,” he said.
Admission to Center Stage events is free, unless otherwise noted. The events are paid
for by student fees and open to the public. For more information, contact the Gallery
at JDAG@tntech.edu.
The Joan Derryberry Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the Roaden University Center at 1000 N. Dixie Ave, Cookeville. Gallery hours vary. To learn more about the gallery and its exhibits visit www.tntech.edu/centerstage/jdag/index.php.
More on Capezzuto, as well as pictures of his work, can be found on his website at
www.mattzzuto.com.
