WATER: Rowen Matthews

Through his luminous and meditative paintings, Rowen Matthews explores the distinctive landscapes of the New England highlands through the elemental theme of water. Focusing on the region’s many dams—iconic features that shape both ecology and imagination—Matthews reflects on how these bodies of water hold memory, sustain life, and mirror shifting skies. His work captures the delicate interplay between environment, identity and belonging, shaped by more than three decades of living and working in Armidale. Water is both an artistic and personal journey, offering a contemplative view of landscape as a site of renewal, reflection and deep connection.

Credit: Rowen Matthews, Shadow Dam, 2025, oil on canvas