An artist, printer, and educator living in Philadelphia, Matt Neff is the Director of Undergraduate Programs in Fine Arts and Design at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds an MFA from the University of Pennsylvania, a BFA in Studio Art, and a BA in Art History from Indiana University. His work is concerned with historical and current negotiations of power and privilege. Neff has worked on a number of projects with institutions including the Institute of Contemporary Art (Philadelphia), The Drawing Center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Wharton Esherick Museum. His work is included in public and private collections including the Rare Book & Manuscript Library at the University of Pennsylvania.
Selected Exhibitions
2023 Photobook Fest, International Center of Photography, New York, NY
Multiple Formats, School of Visual Arts, Boston University, Boston, MA
Jersey Art Book Fair, by Dense Magazine, Monira Foundation x Mana Contemporary, Jersey City, NJ
2022 SPRINT Milano, Spazio Maiocchi, Milan, IT
New York Art Book Fair, 548 W 22nd St, New York, NY
sounds about riso, Usagi, Brooklyn, NY
20/20 Photo Festival Photo Book Fair, Cherry Street Pier, Philadelphia, PA
Many More, Craft Contemporary, Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco Art Book Fair, Minnesota Street Project, San Francisco, CA
2021 NADA Miami, presented by Printed Matter x EXILE Books, Ice Palace Studios, Miami, FL
Tokyo Art Book Fair, Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, JP
Printed Matter’s Virtual Art Book Fair, organized by Printed Matter
2020 Vancouver Art Book Fair, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Postcards from the Pandemic, Beard and Weil Galleries, Wheaton College, Norton, MA
Hard Pressed, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
For Rosalie, Eggcups & More, Curated by Alex Emmons, MAINSITE Contemporary Art, Norman, OK
Organize Your Own, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Center for Contemporary Art & Culture, Portland, OR
2019 New York Art Book Fair, organized by Printed Matter, MoMA PS1, Long Island City, NY
London Art Book Fair, Whitechapel Gallery, London, UK
Second Nature: The Poetics of Re-presentation, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Los Angeles Art Book Fair, organized by Printed Matter, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, Los Angeles, CA
Organize Your Own, Hite Art Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
2018 Legerdemain, Tiger Strikes Asteroid, Philadelphia, PA *two-person exhibition
Adornment: Beauty in Excess, Walton Arts Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Patem 2017, Faculty of Fine Arts, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
Organize Your Own, The Harold J. Miossi Art Gallery, Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Organize Your Own, Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI
Organize Your Own, Texas State Galleries at Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
2017 Fold: Ten Conversations, C.R. Ettinger Studio, Philadelphia, PA
Organize Your Own, Augustana Teaching Museum of Art, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL
Organize Your Own, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids, MI
Filthy Rich, The Galleries at Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA
2016 Darkwater Revisited, Arthur Ross Gallery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
They, curated by Marc Blumthal, Savery Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Fanmail, New York Art Book Fair, organized Printed Matter, MoMA PS1, Long Island City, NY
Unlisted, curated by Anthony Romero & Abigail Satinsky, Icebox Project Space, Philadelphia, PA
Common Press at 10, Kamin Gallery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Organize Your Own, Kelly Writers House, Philadelphia, PA,
Organize Your Own, Averill and Bernard Leviton Gallery, Columbia College, Chicago, IL
Glyph, C.R. Ettinger Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2015 Open Sessions, The Drawing Center, New York, NY
OS2, Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum, San Antonio, TX
Sunsets on Sunsets on Sunsets, curated by Kayla Romberger, Artist-Run, Satellite Art Fair, Miami, FL
Reciprocity: Exhibiting Moments & Momentum from Neighborhood Time Exchange, NTE, Philadelphia, PA
More Than One: Print Publications from The Print Center, 100th Anniversary, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA
Text in Prints: The Use of Language in Contemporary Printmaking, Print & Picture Collection Gallery, Free Library, Philadelphia, PA
RAIR Exhibition and Auction, Crane Arts Building, Philadelphia, PA
2014 OS2, The Drawing Center, New York, NY
The Drawing Center Annual Auction, The Drawing Center, New York, NY
Roth, Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery, curated by Sid Sachs, Philadelphia, PA
Open Sessions: The Great Poor Farm Experiment, Poor Farm, Manawa, WI
House of the Future, Gizmodo, New York, NY
Matt Neff, Second Sight, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA *solo exhibition
2013 Page 179, Artforum, Brennan and Griffin Gallery, New York, NY
There is still time, Gallery MC, New York, NY
Half-Life, curated by Andrew Prayzner, Apartment Gallery, New York, NY
Broad Spectrum, Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, Wilmington, DE
In Front of Strangers, I Sing, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Comic Sans, Kelly Writers House, Philadelphia, PA
Chymia, Book launch and exhibition, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
2012 Pyramid Atlantic Book Arts Fair, Silver Spring, MD
Letterpress: Something to say, St. Bride Foundation, London, UK
Fresh Impressions, Projects Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Poplar Culture, curated by Wharton Esherick Museum, Chester Springs Studio, Chester Springs, PA
2011 Refugee Reading Room, Space 1026, Philadelphia, PA
Annual Auction, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
Copy Jam, Space 1026, Philadelphia, PA
2010 Editions / Artist’s Book Fair, with The Print Center, New York, NY
Pulling from History: Letterpress, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
Copy Jam, Center for the Book and Paper Arts, Columbia College, Chicago, IL
Sweet Spot (Philagrafika), The Center for Emerging Visual Artists, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Works on paper, curated by Joao Ribas, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside, PA
Design Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
New Artists, Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, Philadelphia, PA
Meet Your Printmaker, Washington Printmakers Gallery, Washington, D.C.
AIGA Awards Exhibition, Always by Design Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2008 Sugar Craft, Kasia Kay Gallery, Chicago, IL
Emerging to Established: 25 Years of the CFEVA, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
In Praise of Apathy, Bebe R. Benoliel Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Natural Selection, Maryland Art Place, Baltimore, MD
Beyond Kiosk Ramp Project, curated by Christoph Keller, Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA
2007 28 Degrees, Icebox Project Space, Philadelphia, PA
Eidophusicon, Kelly Writers House, Philadelphia, PA *solo exhibition
Naked Paper, Tower Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Mixed Media, Mixed Company: Common Press, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Sugar Buzz, curated by Susan Hoeltzel, Lehman College, New York, NY
Bibliography
Colorado Experience, Season 7, Episode 11, Press of the West, Rocky Mountain PBS, April 2020.
Alvero, Erika. Mancos Common Press Featured in PBS Documentary, The Journal, May 2, 2020.
Dion, Deb. Start the Presses, San Juan Skyway, January 9, 2020.
Architecture Magazine. University of Pennsylvania Announces Undergraduate Major in Design, August 29, 2019.
Shepard, Louisa. New Undergraduate Design Major Launched in College of Arts and Sciences, Penn Today, 2019.
Wan, Xinyi. Negotiating Privilege with Professor Matt Neff, The Daily Pennsylvanian, October 2018.
Newhall, Edith. Legerdemain, Philadelphia Inquirer, August 2018.
Posey, Jacquie. The Common Press Links Students to Printmaking History, Penn Today, March 17, 2017.
Weaver, A.M. Material Potentialities: Terry Adkins and His Influence, artcritical, January 31, 2017.
Slaven, Jessica. Darkwater Ripples, The Pennsylvania Gazette, August 26, 2016.
Telhan, Orkan, Designature: The Nature of Signatures in Art and Design (Berlin: Revolver Publishing, 2016) 167-168.
Romero, Anthony, (ed.) & Tucker, Daniel (curator), Organize Your Own, (Chicago: Soberscove Press, 2016), 204-205.
Buchman, Lindsay & Common Press, Y(OURS), artist book. (Philadelphia: Common Press, 2016).
Langlois, Justin & Salomon, Gabriel, Intersections of Art and Community in West Philadelphia, 2016, 46-47.
Klopfenstein, Jacob. Mancos Group Steps Up Work on Rare Cranston Press, The Journal, Durango Herald, June 7, 2016.
Makary, J. Louise. Conversation: Matt Neff and J. Louise Makary on RAIR, Title Magazine, May 2016.
Emmons, Amze. Matt Neff: Second Sight, Printeresting, August 2014.
Newhall, Edith. Reflecting on reflections, Philadelphia Inquirer, May 2014.
Stone, Madeline. Business Insider: Gizmodo built ‘Home of the future’ –And It looks Really Cool, May 2014
Estes, Adam Clark. This Flickering Screen Is Powered by Plant Eating Bacteria, Gizmodo, May 2014.
Hession, Mike. Inside the Common Press, Gizmodo, June 2013.
Emmons, Amze. Fresh Impressions at Projects Gallery, Printeresting, October 2012.
Emmons, Amze. Fall Triple Threat 1-Pulling from History, Printeresting, November 2010.
The Graphic Unconscious, Philagrafika 2010 exhibition monograph (cover image). [ISBN: 0-9843744-1-8], 2010
Rosenbloom, Lauren. Matt Neff at the Common Press, ARGW Magazine, 2009.
Print Magazine, Annual Design Issue, November 2008
Art in the Age, Interview: The Balancing Act of the Illustrious & Industrious Matt Neff, August 2008.
Print Magazine, Annual Design Issue, November 2007.
Rosof, Libby. Live & Local at the PMA, Philadelphia Artblog, April 2008.
Newhall, Edith. Lightness, Air, Sense of Floating, Philadelphia Inquirer, August 2007.
Fallon, Roberta. Naked Paper at Tower Gallery, Philadelphia Artblog, July 2007.
Residencies
2017 Patem 365, Korab, Republic of Macedonia
2016 Mancos Common Press A.I.R., Mancos, CO
2015 Neighborhood Time Exchange, Mural Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2014 Second SITE, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
2014 Open Sessions, The Drawing Center, New York, NY
2014 Recycled Artist in Residency (RAIR), Philadelphia, PA
2013 Yaddo, Saratoga Springs, NY
2009 Lugar a Dudas, Artist Residency, Cali, Colombia
Academic Appointments
2016-Present Director of the Undergraduate Program in Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2005-2016 Full-time Faculty, Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2005-2016 Print Shop Manager, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2005-2017 Director of the Common Press, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2005-2016 Penn Summer Art Studios, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Lectures & Presentations
2020 Artist Talk, Beard and Weil Galleries, Wheaton College, Norton, MA (remote)
Panel Discussion, Process and Seeing, Vincennes University, Vincennes, IN (remote)
2019 Workshop & Live Printing Publication, ICA Free For All, Philadelphia, PA
Visiting Critic, Landscape Architecture Studio Reviews, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Artist Talk & Interview, “Press of the West” documentary, Rocky Mountain PBS, Durango, CO
2018 Organizer & Speaker, Portraits of Justice, Symposium on art and criminal justice reform, Philadelphia, PA
Letterpress Workshop, “Ree Morton” with Common Press, Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA
Workshop & Publication, For Freedoms with Common Press, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Artist Practicum Lecture, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Visiting Critic, Landscape Architecture Studio Reviews, University of Pennsylvania, PA
2017 Pop Up Language Lab Workshop with Nontsikelelo Mutti & Tinasche Mushakavanhu, ICA Free For All, Philadelphia, PA
Artist Talk, Matt Neff: Prints & Publications with the Common Press, Durango Public Library, Durango, CO
Workshop, Printing at the Common Press, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2016 Artist Talk, Darkwater Revisited, Arthur Ross Gallery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Director & Moderator, “Common Press at 10” symposium & panel discussion, Kislack Center, Philadelphia, PA
Panelist, Across the Spectrum: Color in American Fine & Private Press Books, Kislack Center, Philadelphia, PA
Panelist, Y(OURS) book launch & panel discussion, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
Artist Talk, Prints & Publications: Intro to Independent Publishing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Artist Publication & Presentation, Harlequin Creature Artist Project, Brooklyn, NY
2015 Artist Presentation & Live Printing, Sunsets on Sunsets on Sunsets, Artist-Run, Satellite Art Fair, Miami, FL
Visiting Critic, MICA Printmaking, Baltimore, MD
Visiting Artist, Mancos Common Press, Mancos, CO
Artist-in-Residence Lecture, Neighborhood Time Exchange, Philadelphia, PA
Artist Talk & Workshop with Basel Abbas & Ruanne Abou-Rahme, ICA Working Group, Philadelphia, PA
Artist Talk & Workshop, Friday Night at PMA, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
2014 Artist Lecture, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Artist Lecture, Print/Think, Tyler Printmaking Conference, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Panelist, The Philadelphia Negro Reconsidered: A Discussion, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
Artist Talk, Second Sight, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Workshop & Publication, ICA Free For All, Philadelphia, PA
Artist Talk, Arthur Ross Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2012 Workshop Series, Excursus II-IV, Letterpress & Risograph, Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA
Artist Talk, The Philadelphia Negro with Terry Adkins, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Workshop & Artist Presentation, Hamilton Type Company, Philadelphia, PA
2011 Panelist, Wharton Esherick & the Birth of the American Modern, University of Pennsylvania, PA
Workshop, Historic letterpress demonstration, Wharton Esherick Museum, Malvern, PA
Workshop Series, Excursus I, Letterpress & Risograph, Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA
2010 Panelist, Philagrafika 2010, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
Workshop, Down and Dirty: DIY Screenprinting, Southern Graphics Conference, Philadelphia, PA
Workshop, Letterpress printing & press restoration, Wharton Esherick Museum, Malvern, PA
2009 Artist Talk, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
Artist Talk & Workshop, Publications & Contemporary Letterpress Techniques, Lugar a Dudas, Cali, Colombia
Artist Workshop & Presentation, Common Press, University of Pennsylvania, PA
2008 Artist Lecture, Swipe File, Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA
Artist Lecture, Process and Imagery, Arthur Ross Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Artist Lecture, Eidophusicon, Kelly Writers House, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Collections
Yale University Library
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Common Press, University of Pennsylvania
Fisher Fine Arts Library, University of Pennsylvania
Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania
Print and Picture Collection, Philadelphia Free Library
Franklin Furnace Artists’ Book Collection, Pratt Institute
Joan Flasch Artists’ Book Collection, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Artist Printmaker/Photo Research Collection, Museum of Texas Tech University
Special Collections, University of Colorado Boulder
Private Collections
Master Printing/Print Collaborations
Seine, Chapbook by Kenny Goldsmith for the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Six Word Freedom Manifestos with Stephanie Garcia and Paul Farber, For Freedoms Project
Civil War Ephemera, Letterpress poster for the Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania
Crusade with Ken Lum, Risograph prints, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
G.W. Carver Progressive Nature Studies Folio with Terry Adkins, Digital prints
I heart melancholy, Jeremy Deller and the Institute of Contemporary Art
The Philadelphia Negro with Terry Adkins, Silkscreen & letterpress prints
Suite of Etchings with Jenny Perlin, Etching prints
Louis Kahn drawings with The University of Pennsylvania Architectural Archives
Song of the Broad Axe with the Wharton Esherick Museum, Letterpress prints
Memory of a Time Twice Lived with Angel Nevarez and Valerie Tevere, Risograph prints
The Rules of Graphic Design with David Carson, Letterpress prints
Megawords Zine Workshop, Megawords & Institute of Contemporary Art, Letterpress prints
Jacob Lawrence series with James Hyde, Screen prints
Soil Kitchen Poster with Futurefarmers Design Studio
Ante la imagen, Philagrafika signature print with Oscar Munoz, Etching on mirror
Wharton Esherick: A Portfolio of Prints with The Wharton Esherick Museum
Swipe File with Charles Burns, Letterpress, limited-edition book
Progressive Broadside, Letterpress print with Johanna Drucker for the Common Press