Rare Large Modernist Mixed Media Abstract Composition

MATTHEW VAREY (Canadian, b. 1968) Rare Large Modernist Mixed Media Abstract Composition, c. 1996–1997 Medium: Multi-layered impasto and mixed media on heavy wood panel with an amber-tinted protective resin/gloss finish. Dimensions: 48” x 30” (121.9 x 76.2 cm) Condition: Excellent condition. Masterfully preserved surface showing intentional, characteristic structural reliefs, deep geometric incising, and signature multi-tonal underlayers. Provenance: Private Collection, Canada. LOT DESCRIPTION: An exceptional, museum-scale example of late-20th-century Canadian abstraction, this monumental 48” x 30” panel by celebrated contemporary artist Matthew Varey displays the peak of his signature 1990s material exploration. Known for creating dense, fossilized topographies that blur the line between raw painting and architectural relief sculpture, Varey investigates the friction between organic landscapes and aggressive urban construction. The surface of this piece is a masterclass in tactile density. Utilizing heavy, hand-sculpted impasto, Varey built deep volcanic fissures and raised geometric lattices reminiscent of pixelated map grids or ancient ruins. Beneath the dominant, light-catching palette of warm copper and raw earthen tones, a sophisticated underlayer of slate-blue, gunmetal gray, and oxidized turquoise bleeds through the fractures. The entire panel is sealed under a thick, glossy resin glaze that pools heavily into the geometric recesses, creating a dynamic interplay of light, shadow, and glass-like depth. Intentionally raw and unfinished, the textured mixed media spills beautifully over the structural edges of the panel, emphasizing the three-dimensional "objecthood" of the work. This piece commands a commanding spatial presence, making it an ideal anchor artwork for discerning collectors of mid-to-late-90s Canadian modernism. ABOUT THE ARTIST: Matthew Varey (b. 1968, Hamilton, Ontario) is an established contemporary painter, visual artist, and widely recognized figure in Canadian art education. Graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from McMaster University in 1992, Varey’s multi-decade career has seen him featured in more than 50 solo exhibitions and over 100 group exhibitions worldwide, including prominent international showcases at Art Miami, Art Cologne, Art Berlin, and the Fondazione Bevilacqua la Masa in Venice. His works have been heavily curated by major institutions, highlighted by his acclaimed retrospective exhibition, Matthew Varey: Building on History, at the McMaster Museum of Art. Beyond his highly successful individual studio practice, Varey has been an influential force in developing young talent, serving for years as the Head of Contemporary Art at the Etobicoke School of the Arts and receiving the prestigious honor of Canadian Art Educator of the Year in 2016. He currently serves as the Director of Arts at Havergal College in Toronto. Nearest intersection Yonge Street and Steeles Avenue