Matthew Alexander: My Beautiful Kent
- Messum's Studio
- Jul 3
- 5 min read
The artist shares how Kent's breathtaking horizons provide inspiration like nowhere else...
We are delighted to share one-on-one interview with Matthew Alexander and Lauren Knight, from Kent Life Magazine, regarding his new show at 12 Bury Street, St. James's. As Lauren says, 'How better to appreciate the verdant landscapes of Kent than through an artist’s eyes? Ahead of his upcoming exhibition.'
In his latest collection of work on show this month at David Messum Fine Art, Matthew Alexander explores the vistas of Kent, documenting the unrivalled beauty of the county he calls home. ‘The collection features a wide selection of subjects which have inspired me over my many years as an artist and continue to do so,’ Matthew says. ‘As a lifetime admirer of the works of John Constable and J.M,W, Turner, I’ve found much like them great artistry amid Kent’s settings. Places showcased in the exhibition range from the villages, rivers, estuaries and coastal landscapes of my home in south-east Kent to works influenced by the wonderful panoramas of northern France.
‘My parents were great Francophiles and took us there on annual summer camping trips. From these early holidays, I developed a love for the French countryside and continue to return to it frequently even as an adult. ‘I’ve always been enamoured by the work of the French impressionists, particularly Monet and Sisley, and enjoy roaming the landscapes that inspired them, from the environs of Paris to the charming pastoral villages. These have become some of my favourite subjects to paint in recent years.’ The exhibition also includes some exquisite paintings of Venice, another favourite place of Matthew’s to visit. Audiences can explore more than 80 illustrious pieces of varying sizes, documenting Matthew’s many travels and displaying his distinctive style and skill. Experience the world from his perspective, revelling in the theatre of the east coast and exploring some of the region’s best gems from the vibrant town of Broadstairs to the tranquil vistas of the Isle of Sheppey. Each piece has been beautifully framed in handmade gold-leaf frames crafted by Matthew’s son, Joseph, who runs a successful local framing studio. Matthew hopes visitors will join him in basking in the garden of England’s natural beauty. ‘Thanet, where I was born and have lived for most of my life, is a fascinating area,’ Matthew says.
‘The low horizons and large skies are teeming with energy, something that I hope is evident in my paintings. ‘The area is a peninsula which forms a very unique light, and as the coast is never more than a few minutes away, it’s delightful having access to the limitless skylines of the sea with its mercurial moods, which are always evocative and stimulating. ‘The great artist JMW Turner was once asked where one could find the best skies in Europe. He replied: “Over the Isle of the Thanet”, and I must say, I agree.’ Growing up by the coast, Matthew has always been intrigued by reflections cast in water and wet sand. ‘My most successful paintings have been inspired by the rivers and estuaries of northern Kent and the white cliffs near Broadstairs, which reflect, with stunning beauty in the wet sand, a low tide,’ he explains. ‘This is unique to the area and is something that’s never ceased to galvanise me. ‘My more rural paintings generally try to mimic the relentless movement of light across the landscape, transforming subjects into dynamic compositions where imminent change can be inferred. ‘I enjoy capturing this phenomenon in all seasons, but particularly in autumn when the colour seems to explode.’
For Matthew, walking through these scenes daily, it’s impossible to disconnect the wonders of nature from his creativity and from life itself. ‘I live and breathe all things visually and am never not thinking, dreaming, or planning my next piece,’ he says. ‘An encounter with a sunset or stormy sky, or a reviving walk among captivating surroundings, may stoke thoughts and ideas which will gather pace until I attempt to realise them in the studio with oil paint. ‘My working methods often change according to the challenges that arise as the work progresses and the time it takes to achieve a result that I find satisfying – if there is such a state – can vary enormously. The artist’s life is a journey, and the point of this journey isn’t to arrive. It’s a journey with no end in sight that feeds the artistic addiction.
‘There’s great joy to be found when a painting viewed a few days later isn’t the disaster you thought it was while making it. But the problem is that the idea of the work in my mind’s eye is almost always unattainable in reality. I find more satisfaction when someone views my work and agrees that the painting is a success, and even more when they buy it!’
Matthew’s zest and adoration for art have been present since a young age. ‘My father, Chris Alexander, was an artist. He graduated from the Royal College of Art in the 1950s and subsequently taught at the Canterbury College of Art until his untimely death in 1982, aged 56,’ Matthew says. ‘His influence had a great deal to do with my pursuing art as a career and life
choice. ‘He was a brilliant teacher and an inspirational mentor. I started painting landscapes with him while I was still at school, and attended college under his tutelage, sitting in on all his evening classes until I graduated in 1974.’ Following in his father’s footsteps, Matthew also taught art at a school in Margate for six years before leaving to pursue a full-time career as a creative. It’s a decision he’s never looked back on. Still, artist life doesn’t come without its challenges. ‘One of the greatest struggles I’ve experienced throughout my career is trying to square the circle of family responsibilities with the selfish necessities life as an artist can entail,’ Matthew adds.
‘This selfishness is to do with time and not money, although the family can often be heard chanting: “Art for art’s sake, money for Christ’s sake!” ‘It can take a lot of time, resilience and determination to pursue a career in the creative arts and often a while for these efforts to pay off. The most significant change came when I began exhibiting with David Messum Fine Art in the mid- 1990s. Working with one of the foremost galleries in London was a life-changing experience. It’s hard to put in words how it felt to have my confidence as an artist be underpinned by such exalted company. It feels great to be exhibiting with them once more, and our collaboration portrays the epitome of a valuable, burgeoning artist and dealer relationship. ‘I always approach a new exhibition with both joy and dread in equal measure.
‘The audience’s reaction is often a worry, as my intention is to create a show that I’m proud of and that doesn’t fall short of people’s expectations. ‘Still, it’s a privilege to be able to share my pieces with people and I can only hope they find as much joy and beauty in them, as I did when traversing these lands and attempting to preserve the bewitching sights on canvas.’
Kindly reproduced with permission from Kent Life .Words by Lauren Knight.
To accompany our 2025 exhibition, we have produced a fully illustrated catalogue with a new introductory essay by David Messum's Archivist, Patrick Duffy, which explores Matthew's historic relationship with the birth place of impressionism in Northern France, and his own, enduring relationship with light, atmospheric drama and East Anglian painting.
Full lists of available works by Matthew Alexander are available online,
or enquire at our gallery in St. James's
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