Matt Storm is a photo-based artist, making photographs, performances, installations and sculptures in Washington, DC. Storm’s work engages with the theme of identity, and the question “who are we, and how do we know?” He approaches this question through self-portraiture, and visual topics including transgender and queer issues, family, and community. A few of his projects posted on his website are strong examples of his approach to image making and the level of engagement chosen between artist and viewer. The work is intelligent without coming across as too high-brow or confusing.

Storm’s images range from dead-pan self portraits to tongue-in-cheek humor in his approach to exploring issues of self. I hesitate to pigeon hole his work as specifically about gender, or transgender issues because Storm’s work shares a commonality about issues of self that everyone faces; the universal question of how one sees themselves in relation to others or themselves. His series Act of Looking is a project comprised of self-portraits, which is very direct in the exploration of his sense of self. Another of his series, Passing of a Patriarch, is a project with multiple layers of meaning and reflection. The exploration is less blatant, but in the series Storm honors his paternal Grandfather by making images in the role as his grandfather; wearing his clothes, and reenacting scenes from his daily life. These images are self-portraits as well, but Storm is in character as another person. The resulting snapshot, or photo album theme, series explores issues of self, family, identity, role models, and masculinity.

From the series, Passing of a Patriarch

From the series, Passing of a Patriarch

From the series, Passing of a Patriarch