Mercedes Matter retrospective at Pepperdine University reveals her pivotal role in New York School

From January 23 to April 4, the Weisman Gallery at Pepperdine University in Malibu is showcasing a retrospective exhibition of Mercedes Matter's artwork, curated by Ellen Landau. This exhibit includes over fifty pieces, along with documentary photographs and an extensive catalogue, building upon a previous display at Baruch College last fall. Matter, who passed away in 2001, was mainly an educator at the New York Studio School and had limited exhibitions. Her artistic journey began with her father, Arthur Carles, and her mother, a Spanish dancer. Influenced by Hans Hofmann, she interacted with contemporaries such as Gorky and Pollock, later shifting her focus to still life and creating impactful drawings that reflect Giacometti's influence while adhering to a cubist style.