Nadia Mattis
Curriculum Vitae
About:
Lives in Los Angeles, MA from California State University, Northridge, concentration Photography; BA from California State University, Northridge, concentration Fine Arts: Painting and Photography; AA from Los Angeles Valley College, concentration Two Dimensional Design.
Statement:
I use photography as inspiration for my paintings, because I have strong connection to frozen images. I am extremely interested in abandoned spots and ghost towns. When photographing, I am drawn to abandoned places, and I make a variety of photographs at each site. Like the medium of photography, which documents subjects that no longer exist, the remnants of these once populated, vital spaces acknowledge a similar absence. Different views of the same place reveal interesting visual relationships, and close proximities emphasize each detail. Seen together, seemingly disparate images create context and acknowledge otherwise unseen connections.
My visual exploration functions as a gesture of respect for these forgotten sites. I photograph the bushes, plants, and weeds that permeate some of these untended environments; organic elements provide a tangible layer of history and frame the structures beneath and within their constraints. My paintings are combination of painting and photography. I create a collage out of my prints and paint on top of it, resulting in a dramatic composition of the scene captured in my print. I use black and white prints, and in the process of painting, add colors to show more a dramatic transition between my subjects.
Education:
2017-2019 MA in Photography, California State University, Northridge
2014-2017 BA in Arts, California State University, Northridge
2010-2014 AA in Two-Dimensional Design, Los Angeles Valley College
Awards:
2016 Dean's List
2014 Dean's List
2011 Dean's List/President's List Honoree
Work Experience:
2011-2014 Student Aide, Los Angeles Valley College
Student Exhibitions and Projects:
2019 CSUN Annual Graduate Exhibition - "Chornobyl. Contaminated Zone"
2019 CSUN Annual Shop Show
2019 CSUN 4th Annual Shop Show
2018 CSUN Annual Shop Show
2017 Co-designed flyer design for "Sewn Stories: Fante Flags from Ghana" exhibition
2017 Co-curated CSUN West Gallery exhibition "Sewn Stories: Fante Flags from Ghana"
2017 Frivolous Emergency Closing Reception - CSUN West Gallery
2017 Graduate Student Art Show - CSUN Shed Gallery
2017 CSUN Annual Juried Art - Student Exhibition
2017 CSUN Photo Club Exhibition
2017 Individual Mural Design for CSUN Physical Plant Management Department.
2017 CSUN Annual Shop Show
2016 CSUN and Sustainability: Individual Garbage Can Design
2014 Student Art Show: Los Angeles Valley College Art Gallery
Volunteer Work:
2013 “Celebrate the Century with the Library – How-To Festival” Watercolor How-To Expert Booth at Burbank Public Library
2013 “Planting a Tree” Los Angeles Valley College