Matt Ellwood was born in Wellington in 1973. He graduated from Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland with a Masters of Fine Arts with first class honours in 2003.
He was the recipient in 2004 of the Wallace Trust prize for emerging artists and won a one year New York residency.
He uses several mediums including sculpture, photograph, collage and more recently charcoal on paper. His charcoal drawings have an almost photographic quality and he looks at the profile and branding of products and fashion styles promoted by advertising and merchandising. His aim is to highlight the relationship between profit and desire.
He is now the Head of Fine Arts at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design in Auckland.
