ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Matthew Day Jackson: American Mythologies and Material Explorations

artist · 2026-04-23

Matthew Day Jackson, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Panorama City, California, was born in 1974 and has made a name for himself through exhibitions in New York, Houston, and Paris. His diverse artistic practice delves into themes of American history and speculative futures, intertwining Native American myths with the utopian aspirations of the 1970s. His work addresses topics ranging from the moon landing to nuclear weapons, featuring prominent figures such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Buckminster Fuller. In a 2011 interview, he reflected on 'Sepulcher' (2004), which signified his transition to sculpture. His subsequent pieces, including 'Chariot (The day after the end of the days)' (2006), show the impact of Russian Constructivism. Upcoming shows are scheduled at MAMbo in Bologna (January 26 – May 1, 2011) and Kunstmuseum Lucerne (October 22, 2011 – February 2012).

Key facts

  • Matthew Day Jackson was born in Panorama City, California in 1974 and lives in Brooklyn.
  • His work includes sculpture, video, painting, and collage exploring American history and future visions.
  • Key work 'Sepulcher' (2004) is a boat for his fictional funeral at age thirty, marking his shift from painting.
  • 'Chariot (The day after the end of the days)' (2006) was exhibited at the Whitney Biennial.
  • Recent works address the moon landing and Hiroshima.
  • Material evolution from handmade objects to polished productions like 'Blockman' (2010).
  • Upcoming exhibitions: MAMbo Bologna, Kunstmuseum Lucerne, Gemeente Museum The Hague, Hauser & Wirth London.
  • Interview conducted by Cecilia Alemani, independent curator based in New York.

Entities

Artists

  • Matthew Day Jackson
  • Eleanor Roosevelt
  • Buckminster Fuller
  • David Thoreau
  • Thomas Pynchon
  • Benjamin Franklin
  • Elizabeth Cady Stanton
  • Richard Serra
  • Bruce Nauman
  • Joseph Beuys
  • Constantin Brancusi
  • Francisco Goya
  • Paul Thek
  • Jimmy Durham
  • Damien Hirst
  • Cecilia Alemani

Institutions

  • Douglas Hyde Gallery
  • List Visual Art Center, MIT
  • Contemporary Art Museum Houston
  • Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
  • Hayward Gallery
  • Punta della Dogana
  • Van Abbemuseum
  • Galerie Peter Blum
  • Ullens Center for Contemporary Art
  • MAMbo
  • Kunstmuseum Lucerne
  • Gemeente Museum
  • Hauser & Wirth
  • MoMA/PS1
  • X Initiative
  • artpress

Locations

  • Panorama City
  • California
  • Brooklyn
  • Paris
  • Houston
  • New York
  • Dublin
  • Cambridge
  • London
  • Venice
  • Eindhoven
  • Beijing
  • Bologna
  • Italy
  • Lucerne
  • Switzerland
  • The Hague
  • Netherlands

Sources