So, a few years ago a client of mine told me that she had seen these amazing paintings at “some gallery” in Philly a few months earlier and she really wanted one of them for her dining room. Here’s the catch (there’s always a catch), she wasn’t sure which gallery she had seen them in and she had no idea what the artist’s name was. Needless to say, this presented a bit of a challenge.
She and I eventually figured out which gallery she saw the pieces in; based on month and area she lived in at the time. I immediately called the gallery and described these larger-than-life abstract and graffiti paintings my client had loved so many months before. Eventually, after several very annoying and elaborate messages I left on the galley’s voicemail; I was directed to an artist that went by the name of Poops……
With a unique nickname given to him by his Grandfather, Matthew “Poops” Ostroff is an artist born and raised in Cheltenham, Pa.; whose artwork is just as interesting as its creator. His pieces tell more of a story; taken directly from the streets of Philadelphia that he visited as a young child. While attending college he explored many different majors but his heart was connected to his craft. Using the mathematics background he acquired during school to his full advantage, he employs a strategic approach, but the outcome is always organic.
His earlier work exemplifies a study in human interaction, unintentionally creating something beautiful. Posters, ads, and announcements plastered, ripped down, and reposted over and over again, over time create a matrix of shapes, color and negative space that is both unexpected and intriguing.
(2007 "Cooper Street" 96x60)
While speaking with Poops, he mentioned that observers commented that the new pieces resemble city plans. I thought this was a really keen observation. Although the pieces are completely abstract, the mathematic approach taken in their construction does generate symmetry in some places while leaving it completely random in others, much like a city plan. The organic is balanced with the structured in order to create harmony.
(2010 "f positive" 75x75)
(2010 "Wild occupied kit" 65x65)
(2010 "f negative" 75x75)
A few of his latest pieces truly play with positive and negative space. Using a silk screen, Poops superimposes white images on to black paper creating a remarkable effect. His capacity to fill space where there previously wasn’t truly does make Poops worth looking up.
(2010 "White. black Rip" 75x75)
(2010 "Red Jawn" 60x60)
To see more of these pieces visit www.poopsart.com and coming mid-summer 2010 www.matthewostroff.com
Because, even if you aren’t an art aficionado you have to admit they're pretty Dope!
These pieces are really cool.
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