Friday Favourites

'The Rachel's Wave' Inlaid maps on panel

'Patriarch' (original) Inlaid maps on panel

'Fiona's Wave' Inlaid maps on panel 

'Kara's Wave' Inlaid maps, acrylic, on panel

'Chasing the Dragon' Inlaid maps, acrylic, on panel

'Geronimo' Inlaid maps on panel

'Three Horses' Inlaid maps, acrylic, on panel

Today's favourite is by collage artist Matthew Cusick from New York. Cusick does a variety of other types of collages but his collection of artwork using maps is what really caught our eye. Using a creative material, such as maps, which for most of us would never think of using is one thing, but then cutting and pasting them to create textures and shadows is absolutely mind boggling. Cusick reorganized the entire network of roads, rivers and urban transportation systems to create intricate works of art that look like paintings and drawings if viewed from afar. The colours from the maps are gorgeous and the detail is brilliant, such a beautiful after life for these invalid maps that would of otherwise been thrown away
(or hopefully recycled).

With the ever growing popularity of GPS systems, maps seem to be harder to find, but we sure hope Cusick will be lucky enough to keep get his hands on more maps to keep creating these amazing pieces. At least he puts the annoyance of trying to fold them back up nicely again (and then getting extremely frustrated and just shoving it into the glove compartment....yes were all guilty) to good use. Next time your on navigation duty hold onto that map and picture the beautiful potential it has! (not that maps aren't an artwork in theme self....but that's a whole other post)

Have a lovely weekend! And if you hear a little birdie telling you to get on over to Artists Walk and check out all the great new products their carrying....you should probably listen, just sayin. 

*For larger images and a larger collection of these works check out Matthew's homepage http://www.mattcusick.com/paintings-collage/map-works 


*all images were taken from Matthew Cusick website.