Matthew Barney

Matthew Barney (b. 1967) has gained international attention as one of today's most innovative and influential artists. His works incorporate multiple media including drawing, sculpture, photography, performance, video, and film. He is known for his series of five films, The Cremaster Cycle, and often discussed in terms of the autobiographical and self-referential nature of his works. As a child, he lived with his divorced father in Idaho where much of his energy was devoted to developing his skills as a football player. His mother lived in New York City, and on visits with her he was exposed to the arts and museums. The impact of these disparate experiences brings a unique, multi-layered vision to his work.