The sculptor Matthew Angelo Harrison is known for his clear block “encapsulations” of found African artifacts that scrutinize and bring a lens to the ineradicable effects of racism and colonialization. With rigorous technical methods, Harrison enshrines the found objects, such as African wooden sculptures and bone, in acrylic resin, plexiglass, and industrial modeling clay that he then sculpts using computer numerical control (CNC) machines. Harrison has also used these manufacturing techniques to encase recent artifacts of the American working class, speaking to labor and inequality, the politics of mass production, and anthropology.
Noumenal Drift
2022
Wooden sculpture, polyurethane resin, acrylic, and aluminum stand
Sculpture 40.5 x 22 x 14 cm / 16 x 8 5/8 x 5 1/2 in
Pedestal 101.5 x 28.5 x 16 cm / 40 x 11 1/8 x 6 3/8 in
© Matthew Angelo Harrison
Bated Breath
2021
Wooden sculpture, polyurethane resin, and stainless steel
Sculpture 61 x 28 x 29 cm / 24 x 11 x 11.5 in
Pedestal 101.6 x 32.4 x 31.1 cm / 40 x 12 3/4 x 12 1/4 in
© Matthew Angelo Harrison
Effervesce
2021
Wooden sculpture and polyurethane resin
182.9 x 38.7 x 25.4 cm / 72 x 15 1/4 x 10 in
© Matthew Angelo Harrison
Forward Majesty
2021
Wooden sculpture, polyurethane resin, stainless steel, anodized aluminum
Sculpture 61 x 18.1 x 19.1 cm / 24 x 7 1/8 x 7 1/2 in
Pedestal 101.6 x 23.2 x 21.6 cm / 40 x 9 1/8 x 8 1/2 in
© Matthew Angelo Harrison
Relic for Disruption III
2021
Spear, tinted polyurethane resin
Spear 230 x 18 x 18 cm / 90 1/2 x 7 1/8 x 7 1/8 in
Base 7.6 x 53.3 x 30.5 cm / 3 x 21 x 12 in
© Matthew Angelo Harrison
The Element
2021
Polyurethane resin, Gemsbok antlers, acrylic, and aluminum stand
Overall 178.4 x 35.6 x 17.8 cm / 70 1/4 x 14 x 7 in
Each 87 x 14 x 6.3 cm / 34 1/4 x 5 1/2 x 2 1/2 in
Pedestal 91.4 x 35.6 x 17.8 cm / 36 x 14 x 7 in
© Matthew Angelo Harrison
Headdress
2021
Plastic hard hat, polyurethane resin, and stainless steel
Overall 140 x 29.2 x 28.3 cm / 55 1/8 x 11 1/2 x 11 1/8 in
Sculpture 38.4 x 25.7 x 24.1 cm / 15 1/8 x 10 1/8 x 9 1/2 in
Pedestal 101.6 x 29.2 x 28.3 cm / 40 x 11 1/2 x 11 1/8 in
© Matthew Angelo Harrison
The Blue People
2021
Paper, leather glove, polyurethane resin, and stainless steel
2 parts, 80 x 38 x 17 cm / 31 1/2 x 15 x 6 3/4 in
27 x 25 x 10 cm / 10 5/8 x 9 7/8 x 4 in
Pedestal 101.6 x 96.5 x 40.6 cm / 40 x 38 x 16 in
© Matthew Angelo Harrison
The Red People
2021
Paper, leather gloves, polyurethane resin, and stainless steel
Sculpture 77.5 x 38.1 x 16.5 cm / 30 1/2 x 15 x 6 1/2 in
Pedestal 101.6 x 96.5 x 40.6 cm / 40 x 38 x 16 in
© Matthew Angelo Harrison
Seer: Lay Bare
2020
Headlight, tinted polyurethane resin, anodized aluminum, acrylic
Overall 187 x 31.8 x 19.1 cm / 73 5/8 x 12 1/2 x 7 1/2 in
Sculpture 52.4 x 26.4 x 16.5 cm / 20 5/8 x 10 3/8 x 6 1/2 in
Pedestal 134.6 x 31.8 x 19.1 cm / 53 x 12 1/2 x 7 1/2 in
© Matthew Angelo Harrison
Dark Silhouette: Female Figure in Unison
2019–2021
Wooden sculpture from West Africa, polyurethane resin, acrylic and aluminum stand
Overall 170.8 x 27.9 x 31.8 cm / 67 1/4 x 11 x 12 1/2 in
Sculpture 79.4 x 22.9 x 27.9 cm / 31 1/4 x 9 x 11 in
Pedestal 91.4 x 27.9 x 31.8 cm / 36 x 11 x 12 1/2 in
© Matthew Angelo Harrison
Mk-019 Binary
2017-2021
Ceramic
20.3 x 31.1 x 24.1 cm / 8 x 12 1/4 x 9 1/2 in
© Matthew Angelo Harrison
