After 20 years of painting in the streets around the world, Mateo has studied and used the art of ornamentation in most of his works, from walls to ceramics, fabrics and rugs, pattern blend into the paintings creating a cohesive bridge between his street and gallery work.

Mateo has always been captivated by the power of transcribing emotion or thought into an image. For him, creative activities are essential for personal growth and development. At 23, he earned a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from Toulouse and wrote a thesis on ‘’Perception and our 5 Senses’’ before moving to Montreal., where he specialised in graphics design and art direction. He worked for four years for major brands such as Ubisoft, Cirque du Soleil and SidLee, before choosing to avoid any commercial work. In parallel, he freely developed his artistic style on the streets. In 2015, during an artist residency in Barcelona, he became interested in traditional ceramic tiles that are seen everywhere in Spain and Portugal. He began incorporating these designs into his street murals, marking the beginning of the integration of traditional crafts into his work. Similar to carpets, ceramic tiles are used to decorate the floors of houses, and Mateo transposed them onto the walls of the city. In the city, Mateo’s inspiration adorns wall with ethnic patterns and vivid, contrasting portraits. In his studio, the artist experiments with different materials and supports, until one day, he paints on a carpet – an unimaginable support for a painter. He imagine the symmetry of a face that reflected in the symmetry of the carpet. His first artwork on a carpet was displayed at the Mural Art Fair in Montreal in 2017. With his alternative spirit, Mateo found a way to hang his artwork on an unused wall of the fair, without being represented by any galleries, and the artwork had an astonish effect on the audience and galleries. In the following days, Mateo was inundated with proposals from galleries who wanted to exhibit his work. It was the moment for him to enter the art world.

THE ART OF MATEO IS AT THE FRONTIER OF URBAN ART & ANCIENT CULTURES. QUESTIONING THE PERCEPTION IG TRADITIONAL CRAFT IN OUR CONTEMPORARY SOCIETIES.

PORTRAITS ON RUGS

Born in France in 1985, MATEO is a world citizen based in Montreal. He is best known for his baroque street art inspired by ornaments from around the world, as well as for this striking oriental carpet paintings, resulting in a mix of urban art with the heritage of ancient cultures.

His signature painted rugs feature striking feminine portraits adorned with ancient patterns, forcing us to question our cultural identity in an unrelenting system that pushes for uniformity in contemporary mass culture. They reflect an amazing way to pay homage to diversity in human cultures claiming that infirmity is detrimental to our history and memory. Traditionally woven by women, these rugs are placed horizontally on the ground to walk on. In this work, the position of the carper will be reversed and displayed vertically on a wall to pat homage to the creative force pf these women with ornamented skin. Throughout the orient, the ornamental design and symbolism of a rug’s origins date back to the earliest past. Certain pieces are obviously loaded with a cleverly formulated philosophical message as well as totemic tribal or spiritual symbols.

By adding a human elements, following the exact rules of symmetry present in a carpet and in a face, these works touch our deep being, our universal consciousness, they question our cultural identity currently cannibalised by standardization and mass culture. Denouncing the loss of our link with ancestral knowledge, the wisdom of our elders and the transmission of their learnings.

WOMEN FACES

Traditionally, women have played a central and vital role in the creation and weaving of Persian rugs. Their involvement in every stage of the process, from spinning and dying the wool to designing and weaving the intricate patterns, has been instrumental in preserving and evolving this revered art form. Women have passed down their weaving skills and knowledge through generations, ensuring the continuity of ancient techniques and patterns.

The women waivers infused heir rugs with their own narratives, symbolism, and inspirations, often drawing from nature, mythology, and daily lives. Their artistry and attention to detail resulted in rugs that were not only functional but also exquisite works of art, showcasing their individual artistic sensibilities. They would gather in communal spaces, to collaborate and share techniques while weaving rugs. This communal aspect fostered a sneezes of sisterhood and community among the women.

Overall, women in Persian rug weaving gave played a pivotal role in preserving the traditions, cultural richness, and artistic legacy of this revered craft. Their skills, creativity, and dedication continue to be celebrated and admired, ensuring that their contributions endure for generations to come.

As a tribute. I paint woman portraits on these revered rugs, embodying their resilience, creativity, to hone the multifaceted identities and stories behind the rugs. Each stroke of paint on my artworks is a testament to their integral role, weaving together narratives that transcend time and inspire a deeper appreciation for the profound impact of women in the world if Art and history go Rugs.