Botanic Panic by Matty Geez at curio.

Curio. is excited to bring you the works of Matty Geez. Working in the realm of soft sculpture, his pieces are three dimensional but maintain a kinship to two dimensional works. Some are truly free standing while others are meant to be displayed on a wall or housed in a frame even though their surface has a relief quality. These works verge on the edge of the fantastic while holding onto the familiar botanical shapes we know. Juxtaposition of hard and soft along with the use of color explore his interest in gender identities. “I like making work that plays with masculinity and femininity through the use of texture and flamboyant color.

Geez is a Lancaster/Philadelphia based artist, a self proclaimed plant and cat dad (he swears this has been the case before a global pandemic kept everyone inside.) Working from a home studio, his process involves sketching a concept before moving into constructing his pieces. Recycled cardboard, upholstery foam, craft foam and spray paints bring his concepts to life in a tangible way. “Touching a cactus may be dangerous in real life, but I want my work to feel inviting while still having aspects of sharpness.”