Matthew Karay was born in Michigan, the youngest of two siblings. His parents recognized his artistic talent at a very young age, allowing him to explore and find his way to art school. Matthew attended Savannah College of Art and Design where he completed his studies in print making earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Fall of 2017. Matthew’s work has been exhibited in multiple galleries in Savannah, Georgia as well as Atlanta, Georgia where he did a collaborative Virtual Reality installation at ACA Gallery.

Early childhood enhanced Matthew’s exploration in colors and textures taking his ideas from the Michigan colors of fall to the bright palette of south Florida. At 11 years old, Matthew’s family moved to South Florida where he was surrounded by the Hi-Fi colors of the tropics. The draw from Michigan being strong; he always ended up returning for the fall. The memories of childhood have affected his color choices over the years. 

The color palettes of his life are evident throughout his bodies work. Initially Matthew drew literal lines connecting these points in time and space. Growing into his technique, he now portrays his surroundings to capture the passage of time, as well as using daily experiences to help guide his hands.

Matthew currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.