Matthew van Liessum
Netherlands (1989)Matthew van Liessum (NL, 1989) is a Dutch abstract artist based in Antwerp. Known for his gestural, energetic, and compositionally balanced paintings, his work draws from the legacy of abstract expressionism while embracing contemporary influences.
A self-taught painter, Matthew’s process is instinctive and deeply physical. Working directly on linen laid across the studio floor, he applies paint using his hands, brushes, and a variety of unconventional tools. This immersive approach allows each piece to evolve organically, free from predefined structure or expectation.
By choosing to leave his paintings Untitled, Matthew encourages viewers to engage with the work on a personal level—free from imposed meaning or narrative. Music, an essential part of his background as a recording artist, plays a vital role in shaping the rhythm and flow of his practice, infusing each composition with a sense of movement and immediacy.
“What appears on the canvas is the result of free-flowing movement; I go around the linen on the floor and mostly use just my hands. I work with a mix of energy and focused composure. Every detail should feel ‘right’ but the composition must never feel restrained.”
