Born in 1987 in New York, NY, John Matthew Heard is a contemporary artist whose work delves into the potential of institutional overdetermination within the art world. Heard’s practice, based in New York, critically examines how art is presented, perceived, and understood within institutional frameworks. Through paintings and installations, John Matthew Heard questions the very nature of art objects and their context.
Heard’s academic background significantly informs his artistic approach. He received his education at Oberlin College before graduating from CalArts in 2010. Further enriching his artistic development, John Matthew Heard studied at Städelschule in Frankfurt am Main under the guidance of influential artists Michael Krebber, Josef Strau, and Haegue Yang. This diverse educational journey has shaped his critical perspective and conceptual rigor.
John Matthew Heard is particularly interested in the nuanced space “between a thing and itself.” This fascination manifests in his art through a focus on the often-overlooked elements of art presentation. Caption cards, audio guides, and catalogs become integral parts of his installations, intentionally “crowding” the image of his paintings. By drawing attention to displays, labels, frames, and even the backsides of artworks, John Matthew Heard encourages viewers to reconsider their perception of art and the systems that frame it.
His innovative approach is exemplified by Paintings for the Blind and Dyslexic, an audio/visual installation that earned him the Städelschule graduation prize in 2018. This work underscores Heard’s commitment to challenging conventional modes of art consumption and accessibility.
John Matthew Heard’s works have been featured in various gallery exhibitions, predominantly at Mountains Gallery in Berlin. Notable exhibitions include dependent (2021), ASSISTED SURVIVAL (2021), Boutique (2020), Flash Card (2020), and L’Arbre du Soleil (2019). These exhibitions showcase his ongoing exploration of the structures and assumptions inherent in the presentation and reception of art.
Through his conceptually driven paintings and installations, John Matthew Heard provides a compelling critique of art institutions and the frameworks that shape our understanding of art itself. His work encourages a deeper engagement with the context surrounding art objects, prompting viewers to question what they see and how they perceive it.
Installation view of miniature oil paintings in architectural model for "Assisted Survival" exhibition, Mountains Gallery, 2020
Exhibition space view from "Assisted Survival" show at Mountains Gallery, Berlin, 2020
Installation shot from John Matthew Heard's "Flash Card" exhibition, Mountains Gallery, Berlin, 2020
Another installation view from "Flash Card" exhibition by John Matthew Heard, Mountains Gallery, Berlin, 2020
Two artworks "Shaggy Blonde Hair" and "The Godfather Part Nine" by John Matthew Heard, ink on canvas, fruit stickers under glass, 2019
Installation view of "L’Arbre du Soleil" exhibition featuring works by Ulrike Müller, John Matthew Heard, and Wagehe Raufi, Mountains Gallery, Berlin, 2019
Detail view of "The Godfather Part Nine" artwork by John Matthew Heard, ink and fruit stickers on canvas, 2019
Installation view of "Paintings for the Blind and Dyslexic" in "After Rubens" exhibition, Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, 2018
Detail from "Paintings for the Blind and Dyslexic" artwork by John Matthew Heard, mixed media installation, 2018
Close-up detail of "Paintings for the Blind and Dyslexic" installation, highlighting tactile and auditory elements, 2018
Detailed component of "Paintings for the Blind and Dyslexic" artwork, showcasing mixed media elements, 2018
Another detail view of "Paintings for the Blind and Dyslexic" artwork, emphasizing the multi-sensory experience, 2018
Audio guide detail from "Paintings for the Blind and Dyslexic" installation, part of the accessibility features, 2018
Front side of "Figure with two bags VII" artwork by John Matthew Heard, paint on canvas, 2019
Back side of "Figure with two bags VII" artwork by John Matthew Heard, revealing the canvas reverse, 2019
Recto view of "Figure with two bags VI" artwork by John Matthew Heard, paint on canvas, 2019
Verso view of "Figure with two bags VI" artwork by John Matthew Heard, canvas back detail, 2019
Front presentation of "Figure with two bags V" artwork by John Matthew Heard, canvas painting, 2019
Rear view of "Figure with two bags V" artwork, showing the back of the canvas, 2019
Front facing view of "Figure with two bags IV" artwork by John Matthew Heard, paint on canvas, 2019
