From the archives: Pattern, chance, and cloth with Matthew Harris

Show Notes

Takeaways from this episode:

• Let the work unfold through process.

  Matthew’s practice is rooted in exploration rather than outcome. He doesn’t design his pieces – instead, he builds systems that allow ideas to emerge through action, improvisation, and restraint. What might open up in your own work if you focused on making, not mastering?

• Constraint creates clarity.

  By limiting his materials to builder’s dust cloth, muslin, and a restrained palette, Matthew pushes deeper into visual language and form. For him, constraint isn’t restrictive – it’s liberating. How might fewer tools bring greater intention?

• Chance can be a collaborator.

  Inspired by composers like John Cage, Matthew uses randomisation and dice rolls to decide placement, shape, and mark. This allows unexpected configurations to arise, challenging his own instincts and pushing the work into unfamiliar territory.

• Drawings and textiles are in conversation. Matthew’s cloth works begin with drawings – not as plans, but as visual starting points. Both mediums inform one another, each evolving in cycles. This rhythm keeps the work dynamic and stops the practice from becoming repetitive or stagnant.

• Imperfection has presence.

  In Matthew’s studio, stitched layers might hide or reveal earlier marks, compositions may remain unresolved, and decisions are final once stitched. His philosophy invites us to accept imperfection as part of the piece – and to keep moving, like music does, even after a wrong note. 

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Explore the artwork from this episode below

During the live interview, we shared some images of Matthew’s artwork. Since you’re listening to the podcast version, we’ve made these images available for you below.