001

001 is the first catalog of works by American artist and architect J. Matthew Thomas. This retrospective presents a selection of the first works of Thomas in full color. Presented in chronological order this volume explores the evolution of Thomas's work from the past 10 years. Thomas’s process is additive and subtractive, not unlike the practice of architecture and construction. His work is constructed by layering various kinds of discarded paper -- newspapers, magazine subscriptions, food cartons, bills, envelopes, maps, etc. -- on wood panel and sanding through the layers to reveal a range of colors, textures, and text. By utilizing tools and techniques of the architect and builder (power tools, x-acto knife, straight edge, wood oil), and adding a final application of painted geometric patterns (borrowed from architecture, mosaics, and textiles), pieces transcends the messy situation at hand into a balanced visual rhythm of texture, pattern, and material.