Matthew McCarthy
Photo Credit : Tracey Throne
Artist Bio
Matthew McCarthy is a Jamaica-based multimedia and installation artist. His work is influenced by the aesthetics of Jamaican music culture, particularly vintage reggae and dancehall. His appreciation of the visual forms emerging from that sphere has provided a touchpoint for expressing his messages in a style that feels familiar to his island home of Jamaica. McCarthy received his BFA in visual communication from The Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica. His career as a street artist has allowed him to form long-lasting connections with various community spaces, with the aim of using public murals as a tool for community uplifting and storytelling. In recent years, his practice has evolved to include a range of media that engage and reference the rich musical history of Jamaica. He has exhibited globally and aims to continue the rich legacy of the powerful Jamaican storytellers and artists that came before him. In 2019, he was awarded The Prime Minister's Youth Award for Excellence for his contributions to nation building and creative achievements
Exhibitions
Art Of Reggae.Reggae / National Gallery Of Jamaica / Kingston, Jamaica
Exhibitor (2nd place medal) 2025
Continuity / National Gallery Of Jamaica / Kingston, Jamaica
Exhibitor 2024
Dubbing 62 : Side A / 10A West Kings House Gallery / Kingston, Jamaica
Exhibitor 2024
(In) Dependence, Resume The Struggle / Olympia Gallery / Kingston, Jamaica
Exhibitor 2023
Vernacular A La Mode / Little Haiti Cultural Center / Miami, Florida
Exhibitor 2022
Pressure / National Gallery of Jamaica / Kingston, Jamaica
Exhibitor 2022
Harder they come 50th Anniversary Exhibition / 10a West Kings House Gallery / Kingston, Jamaica
Exhibitor 2022
Marché de l’Art / Monument de la Renaissance Africaine / Dakar, Senegal
Exhibitor 2022
La Practica / New Local Space / Kingston, Jamaica
Resident / Exhibitor 2021
Jamaica Jamaica / National Gallery of Jamaica / Kingston, Jamaica
Exhibitor 2019
Solidarity, Now More Than Ever / Galleri ACC / Weimar, Germany
Resident artist 2018
A House for Mr. Biswas / The Shrine, Miami Biennale / South beach, Miami
Exhibitor 2017
Jamaican Routes / Galleri F15 Momentum / group show / Moss, Norway
Exhibitor 2016
Jamaican Pulse / Royal West Academy / group show / Bristol, United Kingdom
Exhibitor 2016
Rwa Rising Star Residency / Easton Community Center / Bristol, United Kingdom
Art teacher 2016
Live painting / Reggae Geel Festival / Geel, Belgium
Live painter 2016
Berlin Wall Ongoing mural project / Yaam (Berlin Wall location) / Berlin, Germany
Muralist 2015
Moin Moin / Selekta Studio 1 / Solo show / Hamburg, Germany
Exhibitor 2015
Live painting performance with Protoje & the Indiggnation Band / Rototom SunsSplash / Benicassim, Spain
Live painter 2015
Reggae University exhibition / Rototom SunSplash / Benicassim, Spain
Exhibitor 2015
New Roots / National Gallery of Jamaica / group exhibition / Kingston, Jamaica
Exhibitor 2013
List of Awards
‘World Skills Visual Merchandising award’ 1st place Medal 2011
‘Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts Graduation Medal For Best Visual Arts Student 2013
’The Advertising Agencies Association Award, Graphic Design’ 2013
‘Prime Minister's Youth Award for Excellence’ 2019
2nd Place International Reggae Poster Contest 2024
Education
BFA. Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts 2013
Design Skills (digital)
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Indesign
- Adobe Premiere pro
- Adobe After Effects
- Final Cut Pro
- Augmented Reality framework & Design
- Interactive Digital design
- Ableton Audio Live
- Isadora Projection Mapping
Design Skills (Analog)
- Visual Merchandising (booth decor)
- Prop Fabrication
- Mural Painting
- Decal Design and Application
- Commercial Photography
Publications
https://chisto.com/matthew-mccarthy-upcycles-vinyl-showcasing-jamaican-music-aesthetic/
https://nationalgalleryofjamaica.wordpress.com/2013/07/21/new-roots-matthew-mccarthy/
https://monitortribune.com/?p=1197
https://www.experiencejamaique.com/blog/prizm-art-fair-maxine-walters-and-matthew-mccarthy