Artist Interview with Jo Matei

Jo Matei joined Wimbledon Art Studios in February this year and is looking forward to taking part in her first Wimbledon Art Fair this May. After quitting her full time job in health care, Jo has taken the leap to a more flexible work pattern so she can dedicate more time to her art. Let’s see how she’s getting on…

Hi Jo, welcome to Wimbledon Art Studios, how are you enjoying it so far?

I love the vast networking opportunities that the Studios provide. There’s a great social and community environment and would like to continue discovering more of the amazing artists of Wimbledon!

What are you most looking forward to about your first Wimbledon Art Fair?

I am excited to be able to show my paintings to people who are genuinely passioned about art and to share my experience with them.

Tell us about your work?

I’m a realist portrait painter. However, I am interested in discovering new ways of self-expression and am keen on abstract paintings. At the moment I am experimenting with colours and forms and will let this phase of exploration guide me further. At the moment, I am working on developing a few painting collections that are based on themes inspired by the fetish world, as well dealing with topics related to dreams and the morbid aspects of human existence.

What’s your background? How did you get into art?

My background is completely different from the art world, I graduated as a healthcare professional in 2013. During my first and only art class in 2016, I had the amazing opportunity to meet and be guided by a talented art teacher who unveiled the secrets of oil painting to me. Ever since I could not let go of the brush and canvas, becoming my main means of creation.

Thanks Jo, we look forward to seeing you in studio 282 at Wimbledon Art Fair from the 9-12 May.