The American-born Dunedin artist/designer/writer/educator/magician Larry Matthews (1961-2011) has died aged 50. Matthews was known for his ability to relate to people across generations and was a valued member of the Dunedin arts and writing community.
He owned and ran {lanyop} lagniappe small art gallery and espresso cafe in George Street, Dunedin. The gallery opened at night by candlelight and he played piano as background music to the exhibits. As Matthews himself stated in a 2010 Critic interview on his art gallery: “The notion of the Inner Light (that I believe everyone carries within them) is expressed outwardly by the candle and the artwork itself becomes a tangible representation of the Inner Light of the artist. This ‘mystical experience’ is then a direct communication of the viewer and the art through that Light.”
Matthews exhibited artwork in America and New Zealand and his writing appeared in various New Zealand poetry journals and newspapers, including JAAM, Glottis, Takahe, Black Mail Press, Landfall and the Otago Daily Times.
In 2008, Matthews published his sole collection of poetry, Once Happy as Larry, through his Lagniappe Book Arts imprint. He also collaborated with Jenny Powell on her collection Double-Jointed with nine others in 2003. He has more unpublished work written in collaboration with Dunedin poet Cy Mathews.
Matthews was born in Virginia and educated at Kings Park/Kings Glen Elementary School and Lake Braddock Secondary School in the States. He completed his tertiary studies at George Washington University, Virginia Commonwealth University (BFA 1983) and the University of Otago (MCApSc 2003). He was also a Quaker.
Matthews worked first at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoological Park as an exhibit designer, before moving to New Zealand in 1993 where, as an educator, he taught at the Wanganui School of Design and later in the University of Otago’s Design Studies department as a Senior Teaching Fellow.
Matthews will be missed by all those who knew him. PANZA would like to offer their condolences to Larry’s friends and family.
The Octagon Poetry Collective held a memorial poetry reading for Larry on July 13 at Circadian Rhythm in Dunedin to celebrate and remember Larry’s contribution to Dunedin poets and poetry.
© Peter Olds
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31/05/2011 at 4:44 pm
bonnie matthews
thank you for posting such a kind note about larry (he was my brother..a true kindred spirit to be sure. I’d like to try and make it back to the event in July. please email me at bonnie.matthews2@verizon.net thank you! – Bonnie
28/09/2011 at 11:16 pm
sandy ross
I meet Larry on the Trademe web site a few years ago. He said he was becoming a NZ citizen and I helped his find a shirt for his big day. In return he made my daughter the most beautiful hand made book, which she still has and loves. A wonderful wonderful man. I am sorry for your loss Bonnie.
05/10/2011 at 2:52 pm
Maria
I was hosted by Larry on Feb 27 2011 and it was simply magical to know him. He was kind, generous, sensitive and I loved every minute in his company. In my reference I left on CouchSurfing I wrote:
“Larry was a wonderful person and host who deligted me with his piano performance and his candid, warm and funny stories. To add to it all he mesmerized me with great magic and lovely cooking. I left his place sad and hoping that my newly made friendship will continue forever. Thank you dear Larry for being you! Hope to see you soon on Skype :)”
I am devastated for losing Larry. I miss him.
21/03/2012 at 6:44 pm
Bebe
I just feel the need to write something.I knew Larry for most of my life.He always made me happy when I saw him. He always had a new trick to show me,a new game to play. We had this drawing game: I would draw a head and feet then he’d cover them up and draw the body and we would make Ballet dancing girraffes and cat clowns. He always made my brother and I smile and we always had a hug for him. I loved Larrry.