Statement and Resume
Lash Story (Detail), 2018. 23"w x 29"h. Sewing Thread on Bristol Board.
Matthew Pawlowski: Statement
I consider my work a contemporary form of mourning art. Embroidery and needlework have become my way of expressing complex feelings and thoughts about cultural permanence, survival, and loss. I think about ways to invert expectations of traditional textile practices. I hope to utilize textiles and thread in ways that challenge perceptions of needlework.
My work reflects upon tumultuous cultural changes the LGBTIA+ community has experienced over my lifetime such as HIV/AIDS, and the fight for equality. To understand contemporary issues, one must consider historical precedent. I research and consider the history of queerness from Pagans to Stonewall and beyond. I incorporate and reference a myriad of queer cultural history into the subject matter of this work. By considering the cyclical nature of history, especially as it relates to the treatment of queer people over millennia, I hope to share themes of resistance and strength.
Matthew Pawlowski, St. Paul, MN
2025
“Matthew Pawlowski uses needle and thread to honor the stories of LGBTQ+ communities, linking centuries of queer resilience to his own experience as a queer artist living with HIV for 25 years.
Inspired by Victorian and Edwardian mourning art, Pawlowski transforms embroidery into a contemporary memorial, weaving together historical references, queer slang, pop culture, and original writing. By stitching directly into heavy paper, his pieces blur the line between delicate craft and bold statement, challenging traditional ideas of needlework while preserving stories that deserve to be remembered.”
- Bedford Galleries, Walnut Creek, CA, Group Exhibit “Stitched” 2025
Matthew Pawlowski: Resume
Born: Niles, Michigan
EDUCATION
M.F.A., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
B.A., Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota.
EXHIBITIONS
2025 Stitched: Contemporary Embroidery, Bedford, Gallery, Walnut Creek California. Group Exhibit. Emilee Enders, Curator.
2024 I’ll Be Your Mirror: Reflections of the Contemporary Queer, Detroit, Michigan. Biennial Group Exhibit. Patrick Burton, Lead Curator.
2024 I’ll Be Your Mirror: Reflections of the Contemporary Queer, Detroit, Michigan. Elaine Jacobs Gallery, Wayne State.
2024 I’ll Be Your Mirror: Reflections of the Contemporary Queer, Detroit, Michigan. Hatch Art Gallery.
2024 I’ll Be Your Mirror: Reflections of the Contemporary Queer, Detroit, Michigan. Detroit Contemporary Gallery.
2020 Stitch,Andrea Schwartz Gallery, San Francisco, CA. Group Exhibit. Andrea Schwartz, Curator.
2019 One of These Things, Twice, NIAD, Richmond, CA. Group Exhibit. Margaret Tedesco, Curator, 2nd Floor Projects.
2019 Summer Bloom, Sticks Gallery, Berkeley, CA. Group Exhibit Myong Stebbins, Curator.
2018 Collective Charm, Sticks Gallery, Berkeley, CA. Group Exhibit. Myong Stebbins, Curator.
2018 Love and Care for Your Brother, Sticks Gallery, Berkeley, CA. Solo Exhibit. Myong Stebbins, Curator.
2017 Vignettes and Monotony, Visual Aids Online Exhibit, New York, NY. Group Exhibit. Toro Castaño, Curator.
2017 Firing the Canon, Visual Aids Online Exhibit, New York, NY. Group Exhibit. Darren Jones, Curator.
2016 Sticks Gallery, Berkeley, CA. Solo Exhibit. Myong Stebbins, Curator.
2016 Five Pins Gallery, San Francisco, CA. Group Exhibit. Lis Goldschmidt, Curator.
2015 Sticks Gallery, Berkeley, CA. Solo Exhibit. Myong Stebbins, Curator.
2015 Five Pins Gallery, San Francisco, CA. Group Exhibit. Lis Goldschmidt, Curator.
2011 Proof, Southern Exposure, San Francisco, CA. Group Exhibit. Denise Markovish, Curator, Mass MOCA.
2009 Collaborative Work by Sam Lopes and Friends, BlankSpace Gallery, Oakland, CA. Collaboration.
2008 Faretheewell, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2006 Bridge Art Fair, Miami Beach, FL
2006 BACKDROP: New Photos and Paintings, Jean Flynn Space, Berkeley, CA.
2005 Summer in Southpark, Andrea Schwartz Gallery, San Francisco, CA. Group Exhibition.
2005 15 x 15 x 15, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Group Exhibition.
2005 Monster Drawing Rally, Southern Exposure, San Francisco, California. Group Exhibition.
2005 Adoration/Decoration, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Solo Exhibition.
2004 WAM Art Expo, Frederick R Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
2004 Monster Drawing Rally, Southern Exposure, San Francisco, California. Group Exhibition.
2004 Reversing Vandalism, San Francisco Public Library Gallery, San Francisco, California.
2001 The Lite Light Show, 370 South Fair Oaks, Pasadena, California. Group Exhibition.
2000 SF Drawing Show, New Image Arts, Los Angeles, California. Group Exhibition.
2000 Multiple Sensations: Series, Collections, Obsessions, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts,
San Francisco, California. Group Exhibition.
2000 Summerland, 52 Julian Space, San Francisco, California. Group Exhibition.
2000 Things Get Dangerous, Blue Books Gallery, San Francisco, California. Group Exhibition.
2000 Pierogi 2000 Gallery, Flat Files, New York, New York. Curatorial Project Participation.
1999 California, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Solo Exhibition.
1997 Out Loud and Proud, Bridge Gallery, San Francisco, California. Group Exhibition
1996 Sequence, The Student Center Art Gallery, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California. Group Exhibition.
1996 Ephemera, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Solo Exhibition.
1996 Where Do You Draw the Line? Minnesota Museum of Art, St. Paul, Minnesota. Group Exhibition.
1995 Recall, Macalester College Gallery, Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota. Group Exhibition.
1995 Freaks, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Solo Exhibition.
1995 New Work, Irene Whitney Fine Arts Festival Honoree, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Solo Exhibition.
1994 Figuration, St. Paul Companies Gallery
1994 The Forgotten Gaze, Katherine Nash Gallery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1994 Recent Paintings, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Two-Person Exhibition.
1993 Big Ten Conference Exhibit, Big Ten Conference, Park Ridge, Illinois. Group Exhibition.
1992 A Day Without Art, Studio Arts Student Society, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Artist Collaboration.
1992 Expo 1992, Coffman Memorial Union, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Group Exhibition.
1992 Collage Concepts-A Sum of Elements, Bloomington Art Center, Bloomington, Minnesota. Two-Person Exhibition.
AWARDS AND HONORS
Visual Aid, Recipient, San Francisco, California. 2009.
Bush Foundation Finalist, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1995.
MCAD/McKnight Foundation Fellowship Semi-Finalist, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1995.
MCAD/Jerome Foundation Fellowship Semi-Finalist, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1994.
Department of Art Scholarship Recipient, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1994.
President's Leadership and Service Award, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1993.
Graduate Study Fellow, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1992-93.
Distinguished Merit Award, Art. Macalester College Senior Honors Convocation. 1988.
COLLECTIONS
Instant Webb Corporation Permanent Collection, Chanhassen, Minnesota.
Reinhardt Anderson Law Firm Permanent Collection, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Dain Bosworth Company Permanent Collection, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Macalester College Permanent Collection, St. Paul, Minnesota.
ARTICLES AUTHORED
God Bless the Children of the Beast, Great God Pan, Spring, 1999. (Reviewer)
Foundation Artists Headline SF Exhibit, Tom of Finland Foundation Website, 1999. (Author)
The Art Workers Press Top Ten Book, edited by Courtney Fink. 2005. (Contributor)
PUBLICATIONS
The Thing Quarterly, S.F. Trippy Mission: Lives & Art 1989 - 2002, 2014. (Publication)
Jacqueline Ann von Treskow, All on Different Trips-San Francisco’s Mission School and the Dot Com Years,
USC, Master of Public Art, 2012. (thesis)
Mary Abbe, A Gallery Crawl, Minneapolis Star and Tribune, September 26, 2008. (review)
Mary Abbe, Culture Crash, Minneapolis Star and Tribune, March 27, 2005. (article)
Mary Abbe, Strength of Show, Minneapolis Star and Tribune, August 25, 1989. (review)
Mary Abbe, Fair Exhibits, Minneapolis Star and Tribune, August 23, 1991. (review)
Mary Abbe, Several Galleries, Minneapolis Star and Tribune, May 27, 1995. (review)
David Anger, Cohesive Bold Art, Equal Time, June 19, 1992 (article)
David Anger, Person Column, Q Monthly, June 1995. (article)
Graffito Magazine, Premeire Issue, September, 1993. (illustration)
The James White Review, Spring Summer, 1997. (illustrations)
PANELS AND JURIES
2005 Guest Lecturer, Stanford University Department of Art, Palo Alto, CA.
2004 Presenter, 2004 Bay Guardian GOLDIE Awards, to Xylor Jane for Visual Art, San Francisco, CA.
2000 Panelist, Visual Arts Advisory Panel, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA.
1999 Juror, Tom of Finland Foundation Annual Emerging Erotic Artist Competition, Los Angeles, CA.
1999 Panelist, You Are Here, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco CA.
(Symposium sponsored by Southern Exposure, New Langton Arts, San Francisco Arts Commission.)
CURATOR
2019 Curator, Force Fields and Atmospheres, online exhibit, NIAD Art Center, Richmond, CA.
2014 Co-Curator, Yukari Sakura, Animals, Creativity Explored at the SF SPCA, San Francisco, CA.
1997 - 2000 Curator, ESP Gallery, San Francisco, California.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS (CURATOR)
2000 Prettytown Parts 1 & 2: Queer Americana in San Francisco
2000 PURE 5 California Photographers: Aaron Plant, Maizie Gilbert, Kelli Yon, Tobin Yelland, Ed Templeton
1999 EROTIC: Unsolicited Works from the Tom of Finland Archive
1999 Peek-a-boo: DL Alvarez, Geoff Chadsey, Cliff Hengst, Xylor Jane, Tracy Nakayama, Michelle Rollman
1999 NEW: Three Emerging Artists: Karen Kersten, Jake Hartman, and Timothy Taylor
1999 Black Party: Drawings by Annika von Hausswolf, Johan Zetterqvist and Marc Swanson
1998 Stuck: San Francisco Sticker Art
1998 NOW: Four Emerging Artists: Amy Balkin, Christopher Garrett, Rafael Melendez, Kehinde Wiley
1998 TIME ZERO: Artists and Polaroids 1997 Survey Show: ESP Artists
SOLO/TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS (CURATOR)
1999 Paul Rowley and David Phillips, Flowery
1999 Matt Mayfield, In Memory of the Children
1999 Rachel Neubauer, Rendevous
1999 Leah Modigliani, Bildungsroman
1999 Darin Klein and Sean O'Dell, New Work
1999 Susanne Cockrell/Curtis Hsiang, New Work
1998 Mike Pare, Pacific Time
1998 Steven Brown/Bigfoot, New Work
1998 Brandon Kiel/Aaron Plant, New Work
1998 Kathryn Lybarger/Dan Tiffany, New Work
1998 Arnold Kemp, Arnold J. Kemp
1998 Tobin Yelland, Skateboarders
1998 Marc Swanson, Bats Like Me
1997 Nina Ackerberg and Kathryn Lybarger, New Work
1997 Heidi Brant/Shane Valentino, I'm Just Filthy (DJ Nosferatu and Her Little Black Beamer)
1997 Bruno Fazzolari and Paul Sietsema, Watery
1997 Kevin Hill, New Work
1997 Sandra Wong, New Work
1997 Mike Pare, World Sports
1997 Paul Craven, Destination Out
1997 Darin Klein, New Work