NJE photographer: Nate Mathews

Today, we're looking at the work of Nate Mathews, a photographer from Bartlett, Illinois. A finalist in last year's Photolucida's Critical Mass and a part of Catherine Edelman's The Chicago Project, Nate is an adjunct professor of photography at Northeastern Illinois University and Waubonsee Community College.

Sunset, Tree Shadow, and Benches, archival inkjet print, 17" x 21" [$500]

Ten Hexagons, archival inkjet print, 17" x 21" [$500]

All of Mathews work is based on investigating design. In his initial body of work titled Ersatz he was investigating the design of public institutions focusing on how the inhabitants of a space would alter it in an attempt to humanize it. The bench project is a topographic survey of benches with the intention of showing the sheer quantity and variety of one simple thing. In more recent projects he has continued that focus on examining design and started manipulating the design with his own hand through the creation of referential sculptures and by breaking down and simplifying his images. 

See more at Nate's website, www.NateMathews.com and click the NEWS link there for his blog. See the National Juried Exhibition, on view at the Steenbock from February 28 until April 8, and make your plans now to attend the opening reception scheduled for March 4 from 6-9pm.