Matthew Forehand

Matthew Forehand is a visual artist based in Miami, Florida whose life has been shaped by his diverse cultural experiences and personal challenges. His art reflects a unique perspective, often patchworking elements of nature and the environment from his family home in Colombia And South Florida.

After a brief stint in the United States Marine Corps, Matthew returned home and pursued his studies at Pensacola State College. It was during this time that he discovered the Visual Arts department and realized his desire to pursue art as a profession. He later attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), where he met his future wife, Catalina. Together, they made the decision to relocate to Miami, where Matthew found a renewed sense of purpose and connection to his Colombian heritage.

Matthew's teaching experiences and work as a studio assistant allowed him to develop his skills and establish himself in the art community. He took on a role at Oolite Arts, a respected non-profit Artist Residency in Miami, where he currently holds the position of Printmaking Residency.

Matthew is currently a resident artist at Oolite Arts and has also had a residency at Ox-Bow School of the Arts in Saugatuck, Michigan. He has exhibited his work at Sullivan Galleries (Chicago, IL), Oolite Arts (Miami Beach, FL), and had a solo exhibition at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood (Hollywood, FL), and galleries Bridge Red Studios and Art Space 305.

works

  • Matthew and his wife, Catalina, made the decision to relocate to Miami from Chicago—a city that held special significance for him, as it was where his family had immigrated from Colombia in the early 1980s. Though he had always felt a deep connection to his Colombian heritage, it was Miami that indirectly sparked his exploration of these roots. The city's proximity to Colombia, along with frequent visits to his wife's family, provided him with a renewed sense of purpose and helped him define the direction of his career.

    Matthew’s paintings function like painted collages, weaving together lush foliage from Miami, Colombia, and North Carolina. This fusion of landscapes mirrors his personal and professional journey—one that blends his familial past with his present experiences. Through his work and connections, he creates meaningful memories while deepening his understanding of his cultural background.

  • Offering of the Mountains, 2025

    Oil on Canvas

  • Trail to the Pond, 2025

    Oil on Canvas

  • Untitled: Heather Walk, 2025

    Oil on Canvas

  • Prado de Flores Silvestres, 2024

    Oil on Canvas

  • Rivière du Limbè 1, 2025

    Monotype Print

  • Rivière du Limbè 2, 2025

    Monotype Print

  • Thinking of a Place, 2025

    Oil on Canvas