Matthew Hopson-Walker

Matthew Hopson-Walker is currently coordinator of foundations, interim graduate coordinator, and assistant professor in printmaking and foundations at the University of South Alabama. An has been invited as a visiting artist to teach at Northern Illinois University, Murray State University, Emporia State University, University of Alabama, University of South Indiana, Youngstown State University, Muhlenberg College, Kutztown University, Westminster College, South East Missouri State University, Oregon State University, University of North Carolina-Pembroke, Arizona State University, Middle Tennessee State University, and California State University-Chico. His teaching demonstrations his knowledge of screen printing, lithography, intaglio, and prints that combine more then one technique.

Now an established artist he recalls his early career as being somewhat colorful. Matthew Hopson-Walker grew up reading comic books and dystopian science fiction novels. During a formative age he was exposed to movies such as Mad Max, Total Recall, Escape From New York, Blade Runner, and The Omega Man and owned of a very large rabbit. These themes reoccur in his work. He received his BFA in Printmaking in 1998. After graduating he split his time between pursuing his art and playing heavy metal bass, taking a multitude of jobs to support his art. He has worked as a printmaking technician, in construction, bussed at various bars, delivered mail, and cashiered at liquor stores. These jobs are worth mentioning as the accumulative experience has influenced his, often misanthropic, portrayal of humanity and the images he makes as an artist.

In 2002 he completed an MA followed by his MFA in 2003 at the University of Iowa. In 2006 he was recipient of the prestigious James D. Phelan Award in Printmaking given by the San Francisco Foundation and administered by the KALA Institute. His work is in the collections of the Franklin Furnace Artist Book Collection at the Museum Of Modern Art in New York, the University of North Dakota Art Collections in Grand Forks North Dakota, the Amity Art Foundation in Woodbridge Connecticut, the Stonehouse Residency for the Contemporary Arts in Miramonte California, the Drawing and Print Collection at The University of Iowa Museum Of Art, and the Tama Art University Museum in Tokyo Japan.