Matthew Brandt

Matthew Brandt reimagines photography as a field of constant experimentation, stretching the limits of traditional processes into new and unexpected territories. He combines historical analog techniques with contemporary methods to transform photography into a physical and conceptual medium. By investigating materiality, process, and the relationship between subject and image, Brandt treats photography as a site of experimentation, where both chance and deliberate intervention shape the final work. His approach often incorporates unconventional materials, merging the chemical, physical, and conceptual aspects of the photographic medium. A central aspect of Brandt’s practice is the use of materials derived directly from the subject of his images. He has created photographs using pigments made from lake water, soil, architectural dust, food substances, or even bodily fluids, embedding a tangible connection between the image and its source. He also experiments with wood and other surfaces, integrating historical printmaking techniques to explore the texture and imprint of materials in his images. Through these processes, Brandt investigates the interplay of memory, environment, and human presence, producing works that challenge traditional notions of photography while emphasizing its physicality, temporality, and conceptual depth. ...