MATT DRISSELL
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  • Paintings
    • Of system of elements
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shelf life

Punch Orange Ocean
2017
32 x 24”
Water, Sugar, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Flavoring Concentrated Juices (Apple, Clarified Pineapple, Passionfruit, Orange), Water, Citric Acid, Less Than 2% Of The Following: Fruit Purees (Apricot, Papaya, Guava), Natural And Artificial Flavors, Pectin, Acacia Gum, Ester Gum, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1}, Contains 1% or less of Citric Acid, Guar Gum, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1, resin, on panel
To Warm Slightly, Before
2016
31 x 24”
Water, sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, guar gum, cellulose gum, xanthum gum, natural and artificial flavors, blue 1, red 40, resin, on panel
Blast of Fun
2016
37 3/8 x 28”
Water, sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, guar gum, cellulose gum, xanthum gum, natural and artificial flavors, blue 1, red 40, resin, on panel
Warheads are Trademarks of Impact
2016
32 x 24”
Water, sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, guar gum, cellulose gum, xanthum gum, natural and artificial flavors, blue 1, red 40, resin, on panel
Good Source of Vitamin-C (Kool Aid)
2013, 2015
48 x 37”
Citric acid, calcium phosphate, maltodextrin, salt, contains less than 2% of natural flavors, lemon juice solids, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin E, acetate, artificial color, red 40, blue 1, bha (preserves freshness), polyurethane, on panel
Chocolate Ice Cream with Butterscotch Caramel Sauce
2012
30 ¾ x 24”
Milk, cream, buttermilk, sugar, whey, corn syrup, cocoa processed with alkali, contains less than 2% of the following: mono- and diglycerides, guar gum, sodium phosphate, cellulose gum, sodium citrate, polysorbate 80, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, nonfat milk, fructose, corn starch modified, whey protein concentrate, salt, natural flavor, potassium sorbate, polysorbate 60, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, caramel color, vanillin, yellow 6, red 40, polyurethane, on panel
Classic White and Classic Yellow Cake with Chocolate Icing
2013
31 x 24”
Sugar, enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), partially hydrogenated soybean oil...and polyurethane, on panel
Strawberry and Red Velvet Cake with Vanilla Icing
2013
31 x 24”
Sugar, enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), partially hydrogenated soybean oil... and polyurethane, on panel
Three Vanillas (New York, French and Regular)
2012
44 x 34”
Milk, cream, buttermilk, corn syrup, sugar, egg yolks, whey, high fructose corn syrup, mono & diglycerides, guar gum, sodium phosphate, cellulose gum, sodium citrate, polysorbate 80, carrageenan, vanilla extract, artificial flavor, annatto for color, polyurethane, on panel
Chocolate Ice Cream
2012
48 x 36”
Milk, cream, buttermilk, sugar, whey, corn syrup, cocoa processed with alkali, contains less than 2% of the following: mono- and diglycerides, guar gum, sodium phosphate, cellulose gum, sodium citrate, polysorbate 80, polyurethane, on panel
Chocolate Chip
2012
34 ¾ x 26 ¼”
Milk, cream, buttermilk, corn syrup, whey, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, chocolate chips (sugar, partially hydrogenated palm kernel oil, coconut oil, cocoa, cocoa processed with alkali, soy lecithin, salt, vanilla), mono & diglycerides, guar gum, sodium phosphate, cellulose gum, sodium citrate, polysorbate 80, carrageenan, natural flavor, artificial flavor, annatto for color, polyurethane, on panel
Mint Chip
2012
35 x 27”
Milk, cream, buttermilk, corn syrup, whey, high fructose corn syrup, chocolate chips (sugar, chocolate liquor, coconut oil, soy lecithin, vanilla, salt), sugar, mono & diglycerides, guar gum, redistilled oil of peppermint, sodium phosphate, cellulose gum, sodium citrate, polysorbate 80, carrageenan, blue 1, yellow 5, polyurethane, on panel
Country Fresh (Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream)
2015
36 x 48”
Milkfat and nonfat milk, sugar, corn syrup, chocolate flavored flakes (sugar, partially hydrogenated coconut oil, cocoa, cocoa processed with alkali, coconut oil, soy lecithin, salt, vanilla extract), high fructose corn syrup, whey, contains less than 2% of: mono and diglycerides, cellulose gum, guar gum, carrageenan, natural flavor, yellow #5, blue #1. contains: soy, coconut, milk, polyurethane, on panel
When Extremely Cold, May Stick to Warm Lips or Tongue (Sour Wower Bomb Pops)
2015
34 x 44”
Water, sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, contains 2% or less of citric acid, malic acid, natural and artificial flavor, guar gum, cellulose gum, xanthan gum, red 40, blue 1, turmeric extract for color, spar urethane, on panel
Though I have trained using venerable oil paint, I do not believe that paintings should be limited to only traditional understandings of media or method. Thus, for Shelf Life, I paint with foods and polyurethane.

These mediums allow me to bring together two disparate sensibilities from the mid 20th century. The 1950’s were the heyday for abstract expressionism, a modernist art movement that sought universal connection through the abstract use of formal art elements (line, shape, color). When form became king though, often the works’ content was cast aside as irrelevant. Post-war America also saw the rise of the modern food industry, with numerous developments in the chemistry lab that allowed food to become a quick, easy, and inexpensive affair. In this case, this ease drove out some of the tradition, time and effort previously welcomed in the kitchen.  These paintings reflect upon these legacies, exploring their attraction and decadence.
© 2023 Matt Drissell
  • About
    • News
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Contact Matt
  • Paintings
    • Of system of elements
    • Externalities
    • Shelf Life
    • Other Works
  • Works on Paper
    • Domestic Disturbance
    • The Flock
    • Morituri Te Salutant
    • Weeds
    • MFA Thesis Series