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Matt Haffner is an Atlanta based photographer, mixed-media, and installation artist. As a celebrated artist, Matt has been awarded several prestigious grants, fellowships, and residencies including a National Endowment for the Arts project grant, a Working Artist Fellowship at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, a Forward Arts Foundation award, two residencies at the Hambidge Center for the Arts, a Creative Practice Research Grant from Kennesaw State University, along with many other awards. He has had several solo exhibitions of his work in Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Memphis and has been included in countless exhibitions regionally, nationally, and internationally. His work is in a wide variety of collections including museums, universities, corporations, and private collections. Matt is Professor of Photography and Video at Kennesaw State University.
Education
1996-98 Tyler School of Art, Temple University – Master of Fine Arts
1989-95 University of Akron – Bachelor of Fine Arts
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2024
whitespace Gallery, Atlanta, GA, “Half Light”
2018
whitespace Gallery, Atlanta, GA, “Harmonic Dysfunction”
2015
whitespace Gallery, Atlanta, GA, “The Old Gods and Their Crumbling City”
2012
Pentimenti Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, “A Slight Spectacle”
2011
whitespace Gallery, Atlanta, GA, “Just Across the Tracks”
Blackridge Hall Art Gallery at Georgia College and State University, “Urban Memories”
2010
University of West Georgia, “Riding Shotgun”
2009
Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, Atlanta, GA
Dreams of a Sleeping Giant, Pentimenti Gallery, (Philadelphia), “Tales From the Lonesome City”
2007
Used Fiction, Lyons Wier • Ortt Contemporary, New York, NY
2006
Project for a Revolution, Rialto Center for the Arts, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Selected Works, Arnall Golden Gregory, Curated by Anne Tracht
2005
Project for a Revolution, Gallery MC Atlanta, GA
2004
Scenes From a Hero’s Tale, Forward Arts Foundation – Swan Coach house, Atlanta, GA
2003
Subterfuge Youngblood Gallery, Atlanta, GA
1998
Simulacra, Temple Gallery, Philadelphia, OH
1996
Selected Photographs, Wheathervane Center for the Arts, Akron, OH
1995
Urban Experiences, Akron Center Art Gallery, Akron, OH
1994
Untitled Exhibition, Universalist Unitarian Church ( Kent ), OH
1993
Crowdscapes, Katherine Folk Gallery, Akron, OH
Selected Photographs, Katherine Folk Gallery, Akron, OH
Site Specific Installations and Public Works
2017
“Samson Dreams of Bees”, Site Specific installation for the University of Memphis
“The Untamed Parlor”, Site Specific Installation for the Hambidge Creative Hive project
2015
“New and Improved”, temporary mural for Tiny House Nation, A&E Networks
2014
“Sweet, Sticky Luster”, collaborative work for Exquisite Exhibit at Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
“From the Shadows” public mural for Art on the Beltline, part of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs
2013
“The Collector” collaboration with Laura Bell for Living Walls international public art project
2012
“Walking Through the Lonesome City”, Kennesaw State University, an NEA project grant
“Just Out of Reach” for Past is Present, Columbus Museum – Columbus, Ga.
“Wolf Mother (A Real Bitch)”, Atlanta’s Bureau of Cultural Affairs – a ‘4 Coats’ public mural
2010
“Convergent Frequencies”, presented by i45, public art event, Atlanta
“Between 2 Worlds”, Quadrennial: Greater Decatur, Agnes Scott College, Atlanta
2009
“Street Fighter” for Le Flash, one night public art installation
2008
“Pushcart Vendors”, a New Genre Landscape, Public Art Series, Atlanta
2006
“Serial City” for Atlanta Celebrates Photography, city-wide public art installation, 13 sites total
2003
“Taken out to the Shed” for Shedspace, Atlanta – Curated by Joey Orr
Group Exhibitions
2021
Highlighting Contemporary Art: Cut & Paste Works on Paper, Telfair Museum of Art, Savannah, GA
2020
Highlighting Contemporary Art: Cut & Paste Works on Paper, Museum of Arts and Sciences, Macon, Ga. /Albany Museum of Art, Albany, GA
2019
Gallery 72, Fine Art Acquisition Program Exhibition, Fulton County Arts Council, Atlanta, GA
Highlighting Contemporary Art: Cut & Paste Works on Paper, Lyndon House Arts Center, Athens, GA. /Williams Museum of Papermaking, GeorgiaTech, Atlanta, GA
2016
Rising Stars, Museum of Arts and Sciences, Macon, GA
2015
Sprawl–Drawing Outside the Lines, High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA
Monster Draw, High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA
2014
Selfie, Chastain Arts Center, Atlanta, GA
2013
15 Year Forward Arts Foundation Anniversary Exhibition – Swan Coach House Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2012
Paper Moon, Clayton Gallery, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
The 15 Year Anniversary Retrospective, Youngblood Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Groundstory, Tales From the Shade of the South, Dalton Gallery, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA
20 in 12 Vision, Pentimenti Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2011
Drawing Connections, City Gallery at Chastain, Atlanta, GA
2010
Quadrennial: Greater Decatur, Dalton Gallery, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA
Spark, Borrow and Steal – Pentimenti Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2009
The December Show -Whitespace, Atlanta
Le Flash – Castleberry Hill Arts District – One night public art installation
MOCA GA Collects: The Photographic Image, Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia
What’s Happening Now: A Cell Phone Photography Project, Cherry Lion Gallery
2008
A New Genre Landscape, Public Art Series, Atlanta, GA
2007
Movers and Shakers, Museum of Contemporary Art Georgia
From a Thousand Pages, Pentimenti Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Ground Breaking, Lyons Wier Ortt Contemporary, New York
Innovations, Gallery at Terminus, Atlanta
2006
Forward Arts, Museum of Contemporary Art Georgia
Refined, Lyons Weir Ortt Contemporary, NY
Transformation: Photography of the 21st Century, Space 301, Mobile Alabama
Scale: A National Drawing Invitational, Suny Brockport, NY
2005
Photography, Museum of Contemporary Art Georgia 100, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta
2004
Cinema Complex, Rialto Theatre, Atlanta
Reading Between the Lanes, Spruill Center for the Arts, Atlanta
Analog, Click – Click, Temple Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2003
Dekalb Ave., ArtSpot Gallery, Atlanta, GA
SK8 or Die, Youngblood Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Artists: Gallery Selections, Suntrust Biennial, Atlanta GA
2002
Youngblood Gallery in conjunction with Atlanta Celebrates Photography, Youngblood Gallery, Atlanta GA
1999
Place of Memory, Temple Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1998
Group Photography Exhibition, Tyler Gallery, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA
1997
Fourteen, Temple Gallery, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA
1996
Intimate Revelations Group show, Emily Davis Gallery, Akron, OH
Street Scenes, Wheathervane Center for the Arts, Akron, OH
Tyler Graduate Photography Exhibition, Shippley School, Philadelphia, PA
1995
Illuminance ‘95, Fine Arts Center, Lubbock, TX
Senior Juried Exhibition, Emily Davis Gallery, Akron, OH
1994
Juried Photography Exhibition, Cleveland Center for the Contemporary Arts, Cleveland OH
Benefit Art Auction, Spaces Art Gallery, Cleveland, OH
Photoworks ‘94, Barrett House Galleries, New York, NY
Artists of Rubber City Exhibition, Charles Mayer Gallery, Akron, OH
Seasonal Invitational, E.I.O. Gallery, Cleveland, OH
Juried Student Exhibition, Emily Davis Gallery, Akron , OH
Art at the Center Gallery, Jewish Community Center of Akron, OH
1993
Courage Exhibition, Powerhouse Gallery, Cleveland, OH
Cleveland State University Art Gallery, “Faces of Cleveland Exhibition”
1992
Juried Exhibition, Emily Davis Gallery, Akron, OH
University of Akron Meyer School of Art Gallery
1991
University of Akron Meyer School of Art Gallery
Alabama Theatre, Birmingham, Al
Temple Gallery, Philadelphia, Pa.
Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, Pa.
Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.
University of Akron, Akron OH
Awards
2023
Kennesaw State University’s Tenured Faculty Enhancement Leave Award
2016
Kennesaw State University’s Tenured Faculty Enhancement Leave Award
2015
Kennesaw State University’s CETL Grant for Incentive Funds for Research and Creative Activity
2013
Residency-Hambidge Center for the Arts
2012
National Endowment for the Arts–project grant for installation at Kennesaw State University
2011
Office of Cultural Affairs, Atlanta–4 Coats Mural2010Possible Futures–for Convergent Frequencies project in association with i45
2008
Museum of Contemporary Art Georgia – Working Artist Project Course Release (Partial Sabbatical) from Kennesaw State University, Hambidge Center Residency
2007
Foundation Award, Kennesaw State University
2006
Public Artist for Atlanta Celebrates Photography
2003-4
Forward Arts Foundation, Emerging Artist of the Year, Studio Artist at The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Featured Artist, Spience Fiction
2000
KarmaBomb’s “Most Artistic Web Production Award” for Everywhereman.com
1997-9
Two Year Exhibitions Assistantship (Tyler School of Art)
1994
Richard Seigal, Cleveland Free Times Award, Senior Recognition Award, for Excellence in the School of Art, Artists of Rubber City Award
1992
Career Educational Grant for special project at Portage Path Elementary School, APS
Reviews and Press
ArtsATL, Barns, back roads, barbecue, billboards and Buford Highway, Jerry Cullum, June 2018
ArtATL, “Midtown’s premier mixed-use development unfolds into artists’ creative playground”, Shantay Robinson, May 2017
Burnaway, “HambidgeHive Brings Artists to Colony Square This Summer”, LoganLockner, March 2017
Culture Trip, “10 Artists from the Southern States You Should Know”, Lucy Andia, December 2016
A&E’s Tiny House Nation,“Looking Forward”, mural for the TV show on a tiny house, April 2016
Atlanta Magazine, “Whitespace Gallery is far from a traditional art space”, FeliciaFeaster, August 2015
Art Papers Magazine, Review–“The Old Gods and Their Crumbling City”, MeredithKooi, July 2015
The Culture Trip,“The 10 Artists From the Southern States You Should Know”, LucyAndia, June 2015
SLO•MO, “They Got Next”, Carlton Hargro, May 2015
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Gritty, Captivating Cityscape is Artist Matt Haffner’sFocus”, Felicia Feaster, April 2015
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Living Walls Cancels 2015 Conference”-Bo Emerson, January 2015
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Affordably Priced Art at December Show”–Felicia Feaster, December 2014
Burnaway, “Exquisite Exhibit”: An Exercise in Collaboration at ACAC Sherri Caudell, October 2014
Arts Atl, Review: Lively “exquisite corpses” in paint, video and sculpture from the Cotemporary’s Studio artist – Jerry Cullum, September 2014
WABE, Conversation with curator Joey Orr about “Exquisite Exhibit: Parlour Games from the Studio Artist Program” – Myke Johns, Septermber 2014
Arts ATL, “Selfie” Explorers A New Take On an Old Genre – Deidra Tyree Smith, July 2014
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Selfie finds significance in group show at Atlanta gallery, Felicia Feaster, July 2014
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer-You’ve Got to go to the Columbus Museum, Sandra Okamoto, June 2012
Oxford American-The Only Stair that Doesn’t Creak: Hauntology, Reggie Michael Rodrigue, June 2o12
Arts Critic Atl – Poetic conceptualism pervades work by Atlanta artist in “Quadrennial”at Agnes Scott, Jerry Cullum, October 2010
Burnaway – Convergent Frequencies highlights urban geography this weekend, Susannah Darrow, September 2010
Burnaway – Quadrennial: Greater Decatur at Dalton Gallery strikes a balance, Kombo Chapfika, September 2010
Art Papers – Exhibition Review – Felicia Feaster, August 2009.
Kennesaw State University Press – Faculty Spotlight – Jennifer Hafer, August 2009.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution- Award Lets Atlanta Artist Branch Out – Catherine Fox, May 2009.
Philadelphia City Paper – Just Do It – Tales From the Lonesome City – Lauren F. Friedman, March 2009.
Kennesaw State University – Faculty Profile – Michael Ruther, March 2009.
The Atlantan – Cover Artist for the Art Issue, December 2008.
The Atlantan – Felicia Feaster, June 2008.
Creative Loafing – ‘Hey, you’re hogging the paint!’ – Felicia Feaster, February 6, 2008.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Atlanta Innovates – Catherine Fox, October 21, 2007.
Public Art Review, issue 36 The Multi Faceted Lens – Atlanta’s Big Picture – Cathy Byrd, June 1, 2007.
Jezebel Magazine – Atlanta’s Emerging Artists – Erin Bransford, March 1, 2007.
Creative Loafing – Top Ten Art Shows of 2006 – Felicia Feaster, January 5, 2007.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Draw Conclusions – Catherine Fox, October 19, 2006.
Daily Candy – Where Art Thou? October 11, 2006.
Wooster Collective – Another Giant Weatpaste from Matt Haffner, October 3, 2006.
Peach Magazine – Art for the People…Maybe – Johnathan Lerner, October 2006.
Points North Magazine – Fine Art – Amy Meadows, October 2006.
Atlanta Intown Magazine – Atlanta Celebrates Photography, October 2006.
New Work from Matt Haffner, September 2006.
New American Paintings, June 6, 2006.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Always Looking Forward – Jerry Cullum, December 2005.
Forward Arts Catalog – Museum of Contemporary Art Georgia, December 2005.
Art Papers Magazine – Review of Exhibition, December, 2004.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution – “Atlantan is Drawn to be Part of His Art”, Catherine Fox, July 9, 2004.
Creative Loafing – “We Don’t Need Another Hero”, Felicia Feaster, July 7, 2004.
Art Papers Magazine – Review of Dekalb Ave., December 2003.
Access Atlanta, “HIGH ROAD ON Gritty street becomes an unlikely inspiration”, Catherine Fox, October, 30 2003.
Creative Loafing, “Back to the shed”, Andisheh Nouraee, August 14, 2003.
“Survey of local galleries offers some surprises,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jerry Cullum, June 8, 2003.
Illuminance 1995, Exhibition Catalog, Barret House Galleries, NY, November, 1995.
Best Kept Secret, Portage Path School, Akron Public Schools, February 2, 1994.
Akron Beacon Journal, “It’s Real, and it’s his work”, Lisa Biank – Fasig, January 14, 1994.
Kent Record-Courier, “UC hosts photo-art display,”January 7, 1994.
Collections
KUNSTWERK Museum, Berlin
Museum of Contemporary Art Georgia
Alston and Bird LLP., Atlanta, GA.
Anglo Irish Bank, Dublin / New York
King and Spalding, Atlanta, Ga
Alabama Theatre, Birmingham, Al
Temple Gallery, Philadelphia, PA.
Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA.
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.
University of Akron, Akron, OH