Matthew Burkett’s compelling portraits hold the gaze. Deftly brushing intense eyes and emotive expressions onto canvas, the 38-year-old artist blurs the lines between the surreal and reality. “It started with my mom,” Burkett said when asked to explain his fascination with painting faces.
His mother, Hazel Scott is the first face Burkett remembers. Her kind eyes and wry smile sneak into every abstract piece he creates. MOM - HIS MUSE: Matthew’s late mother Hazel Scott, who died of cancer in 2010, is the inspiration for all his portrait work.
“Her beauty, even as a kid, I knew there was something special about her. Since then, faces have always drawn me in. There’s a story in every wrinkle, every expression, and that’s what I find most compelling.
” Scott’s maternal love left an indelible mark on Burkett, magnified by her untimely passing from cancer in 2010. He calls her loss “the most defining moment” of his life. “Her influence continues to guide me to this day.
She was a constant source of hope, always encouraging me to follow my dreams and to pick up a pencil and draw! Her memory is a driving force in everything I do, I cherish those vivid memories like I cherish nothing else. Burkett paints to honour her struggle and sacrifice, keeping her spirit alive through his work. “I like to think that she’s still with me, proud of what I’ve achieved and the person I’ve become.
Her belief in me is something I carry with me every day, and it’s a big part of why I continue to push myself creatively.” Matthew Burkett’s “Silent Strength”. Capturing the profound For Burkett, art is an opportunity “to capture something profound”, emotions he hopes to convey in its purest form to his audience.
“Painting allows me to explore those unspoken stories, those moments of truth that can’t be expressed in any other way. When painting, I get lost in the process, as if time slows down, and I’m fully immersed. I guess this is ‘flow’, where I’m not just making art, but also discovering something new about myself and the world around me with each stroke,” he mused.
The River Estate, Diego Martin-bred artist began that journey under the guiding hand of former St Joseph Convent art teacher Ms Howard. “She introduced me to portraiture because it was the thing that was most difficult for me. Her medium of choice was acrylics, but as soon as I tried oil painting on my own, for me there was no turning back,” Burkett recalled.
Over time, Burkett, a graduate of Caribbean Union College, honed his own style, blending realism with abstract elements. He first explored this fusion on computers for major advertising campaigns, later transitioning to oil paints to create portraits that resonate on multiple levels. “My love for art began when I was just a kid, sketching whatever caught my eye.
As a teenager, I deepened my interest in computers and this led me to graphic design, which set me on a path to a 15-year career in advertising.” It was the life-altering Covid-19 pandemic that reignited his passion for fine art, setting him on a new path of growth and exploration. “I realised art was more than just a sideline.
I started my own printing, framing, and painting business, a family business, and then I knew I had found my true calling.” Burkett’s work was a standout at the Art Society’s “Guardians of Hope” exhibition, hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security’s Counter Trafficking Unit, from July 31 to August 1 at Mille Fleurs, Port of Spain. His most recent piece, “Eyes of Innocence” is currently on display at Gentle Studio, on Long Circular Road, St James.
“It was a great experience, allowing me to meet (Government) ministers, the Mayor of Port of Spain and members of the Diplomatic Corps. My first exhibition and one that I’m really proud of. Through the Art Society the exhibitions have been coming fast and furious.
“Yes, I’m open to commissions. I love collaborating with people to create specialty framed portrait pieces that speak volumes to them personally, so if you’re interested, feel free to reach out.” More of Burkett’s work can be viewed on his Instagram page: @iamxen.
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