Abstract Art and Fine Art Artist: Erasto Curtis Matthews
"I create because it allows me to exercise the God in me"
About Me
Bio
Artist Statement
Artist Statement
Erasto Curtis Matthews is a multidisciplinary artist whose work celebrates the strength and beauty of African and African-American culture. Raised in East Orange, New Jersey, and grounded in both tech and the arts, Erasto spent over 30 years as a software engineer while cultivating a deep creative practice in music and visual art.
His vi
Erasto Curtis Matthews is a multidisciplinary artist whose work celebrates the strength and beauty of African and African-American culture. Raised in East Orange, New Jersey, and grounded in both tech and the arts, Erasto spent over 30 years as a software engineer while cultivating a deep creative practice in music and visual art.
His vibrant, abstraction-based paintings—often rendered in acrylics with textile and collage elements—invite viewers into emotive, transformative worlds. Rooted in cultural reclamation and community building, his artistry extends to curatorial work, mentoring young artists, and fundraising for social causes.
Erasto’s work has been exhibited at prominent venues including the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, Gallery B, the Yumi Hogan Gallery, and Serengeti Gallery, and featured in publications like The Washington Post and Tribes Magazine. Through each creation, he channels heritage, imagination, and healing.
Artist Statement
Artist Statement
Artist Statement
My artistic practice is a continuous dialogue with the intricate tapestry of African and African American identity, deeply rooted in the intertwined narratives of family, history, and the vibrant cultures of the diaspora. Through my work, I aim to excavate and celebrate the enduring spirit, resilience, and creative genius that has defin
My artistic practice is a continuous dialogue with the intricate tapestry of African and African American identity, deeply rooted in the intertwined narratives of family, history, and the vibrant cultures of the diaspora. Through my work, I aim to excavate and celebrate the enduring spirit, resilience, and creative genius that has defined people of African descent across continents and generations.
Family, in its broadest sense, forms the bedrock of my exploration. I delve into personal familial archives – photographs, oral histories, heirlooms – to unearth individual stories that resonate with universal themes of love, loss, migration, and belonging. These intimate narratives become microcosms through which to view the larger currents of our shared history. My portraits often aim to capture not just a likeness, but the ancestral echoes within each face, connecting the present to a profound and often challenging past.
History, for me, is not a static chronology but a living, breathing force that shapes contemporary existence. I am particularly drawn to the transatlantic journey, its ruptures, and the subsequent formation of new cultures in the Americas and beyond. My mixed-media pieces frequently layer symbols, textures, and historical documents to evoke the complex legacies of slavery, resistance, and liberation. I seek to reclaim and reframe narratives, giving voice to the unacknowledged and highlighting the profound contributions of Africans and their descendants to global civilization.
The culture of Africans throughout the diaspora is a boundless source of inspiration. From the pulsating rhythms of Afro-Caribbean music to the intricate patterns of West African textiles, from the spiritual resilience embedded in Gullah traditions to the expressive power of Hip-Hop, I find endless manifestations of our collective genius. My use of color, pattern, and found objects often reflects this rich cultural heritage, weaving together elements from diverse diasporic experiences. I strive to create art that speaks to the shared humanity and interconnectedness of our global family, transcending geographical boundaries and celebrating the vibrant continuum of African artistry and thought.
Ultimately, my art is an invitation to reflect on where we come from, who we are, and the profound ways in which our heritage continues to inform our journey forward. It is a testament to the enduring power of family, the lessons of history, and the indomitable spirit of African culture, echoing through time and across the vast, interconnected world.
Commissions
Artist Statement
Commissions
Contact me to discuss your special project. Prices vary depending on the size.