Matt Sesow
Washington, D.C.
“Creativity helps me not only to confront my scars but to embrace them as a fundamental part of my story. In doing so, I’ve discovered a new sense of strength and resilience.”
At just eight years old, Matt Sesow was struck by a landing airplane’s propeller, resulting in the loss of his dominant arm. It was re-attached, however, due to blood loss, his left hand required amputation. “This life-changing event left scars, both physical and emotional, which I’ve come to express through my art.”
Through painting, Matt found a powerful way to transform his childhood accident into something tangible and meaningful. Each stroke of the brush is an outlet for the raw energy and emotion that come with living through trauma, and the process itself has been incredibly cathartic. “Art has given me a language that goes beyond words, allowing me to connect with others who have faced their own challenges and to offer a sense of shared understanding and hope.“
At the age of ten, Matt’s family embarked on vacation from his home in rural Nebraska to visit his grandmother in Florida. While in Florida, Matt’s family took a guided tour at the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg, “The deep stories behind his paintings impacted me greatly in relation to my childhood experiences.” During another memorable family trip to New York, Matt viewed Picasso’s Guernica, and later remarked that the sheer size and story of the trauma behind Guernica deeply affected him and served as a catalyst for his art making.
Matt remained passionate about creation, but professionally, he focused on computer software. He graduated from university with a degree in Computer Information Systems and began working at IBM as a software tester. Without formal art education, Matt utilized painting as a hobby while working at IBM. In the evenings and on weekends he began selling his work to Self-Taught and Outsider art collectors. Throughout the 1990s, he continued to paint and participate in art exhibitions while working at a variety of computer firms.
Returning from a stint with the Peace Corps (Solomon Islands) in 1999, Matt began to focus on his love of painting and developing a path to create art full-time. In 2001, after establishing himself within the art community as a powerfully diverse and independent painter, Matt retired from his computer career to pursue art full-time. With the ability to focus entirely on his painting, Sesow exhibited and traveled across the United States while also securing new collectors internationally including exhibitions in Spain, France, and Slovenia, and having a show curated with the works of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Matt’s artistic style is characterized by bold, expressive brushwork and an emotional intensity that reflects his personal experiences and themes of his life. “I often incorporate raw, gestural strokes and vibrant colors, creating pieces that feel both visceral and immediate. Recurring symbols appear in my work, representing my journey of healing and resilience. Over time I have gained confidence and my work has become more narrative and layered, often addressing political and social issues alongside personal themes.”
For Matt, there are no rules or limits to his art making, instead, it is a space where he is able to be completely honest and unfiltered. “A sense of freedom fuels my creativity, giving me the courage to explore difficult themes and push my boundaries. But perhaps most importantly, I love that art is a shared experience. It not only connects me to others who may relate to my story but also opens up conversations, inviting people to reflect, feel, and connect on a deeper level. Art is a language of its own, it allows me to convey feelings, stories, and experiences that are otherwise difficult to articulate.”
Matt further elaborates, “while painting is often a solitary act, the feedback I receive from viewers who relate to my work has shown me that my personal story resonates with others. This has been a powerful reminder that we are all navigating our own struggles, and sharing them can bring a sense of unity and shared understanding. Ultimately, I’ve discovered that my creativity is not just a means of expression but a tool for healing and a way to make sense of the world.”
With a particular affinity for oil paint, because of the depth and richness it brings, Matt typically dives right in to creating a new piece, painting every day from his home studio in downtown Washington, D.C. Although Matt prefers spontaneity in his art making process, at times a specific idea or emotion will guide him from the start. The time it takes to create new work varies, depending on the piece’s size, complexity, and the emotions driving the work. “Some come together in a matter of hours, while others evolve over several days or even weeks as I revisit them. I typically work on multiple pieces at once, helping me maintain a continuous flow of creativity.”
Inspired by personal experiences, particularly the challenges he has faced and the resilience with which he met these challenges, Matt is also creatively inspired by political and social issues, and living in Washington D.C., Matt enjoys the energy, history, and intensity of the city.
“It always surprises me when someone resonates deeply with a piece, but that surprise brings a unique joy. I find meaning in any reaction, positive or negative, because it means my work has reached someone on a personal level. I approach new paintings with fresh intent, as if it’s the first piece I’m creating, focusing on making an impression that might resonate with someone new. It’s humbling to realize that my story and art can impact others.”
