About This Item:

• Encaustic on Lake Erie Driftwood

• Encased in a Clear, Acrylic Box

• 49.5”L x 6.5”W x 9.5”H

Matthew Gallagher’s Long Boi is fabricated with a variety of colored encaustic wax layers that were painted onto one solid piece of driftwood found by the artist in Lake Erie. This encaustic piece has incredible dimension and textural elements, referencing natural forms such as coral or fungus. Long Boi was completed in 2016, and is encased in a clear, acrylic box to protect the surface. The driftwood is securely attached to a black wooden panel. It is currently on view as part of Gallagher’s solo exhibit Research and Development at the Gallery.

Matthew Gallagher is a multi disciplinary artist who uses paint, ink, encaustic, and natural materials to map the expression of his physical processes. Gallagher reveals properties of our environment that wouldn’t otherwise be apparent, empowering people to experiment and play with their own surroundings. Their thought-provoking work can be found in many private and permanent collections in Northeast Ohio and nationally. Gallagher graduated from Oberlin College in 2013, and currently works in their Cleveland art and performance studio.