In creating my prints and installations I borrow heavily from comic books produced during the mid-twentieth century, both as a source of imagery, and for the variety of compositional strategies the genre’s narrative structure suggests. I often infuse these elements with themes, compositions, or references borrowed from across the western art historical canon.
These combinations and manipulations result in new, sometimes satiric narratives that critique the original sources’ problematic ideals of Western culture. Through this process, I am also confronting my own privilege. My intention is to mine new value from these source materials and contribute to a broader conversation in which long-held, and seemingly intractable, social ideas are being re-examined.
Matthew Borgen is a native of Akron, Ohio. He holds a BFA in drawing from the University of Akron and an MFA in painting from the University of Minnesota.
Since moving to Philadelphia in 2003, Borgen has presented his work in regional venues including The Woodmere Art Museum, The Fleisher Art Memorial (Wind Challenge), The Abington Art Center; The Barbara Crawford Gallery at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy; Inliquid Gallery; Mt. Airy Contemporary; James Oliver Gallery; The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, Trenton, New Jersey; and The Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster, New Jersey.
Nationally he has been included in exhibitions at The Urban Institute for Contemporary Art, Grand Rapids, Michigan; The 621 Gallery, Tallahassee, Florida; The Arlington Center for the Arts, Arlington, Massachusetts; H Gallery, Ventura, California; and Target Gallery, Alexandria, Virginia.Borgen currently serves as the Director of Exhibitions at Arcadia University.
2002
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
MFA, Drawing and Painting
1998
University of Akron, Akron, OH
BFA, Drawing
2023 – Present
Director Arcadia Exhibitions, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
2012 – 2023
Exhibitions Coordinator, Art Research Collaboration (ARC) Exhibition Program, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
2007 - Present
Adjunct Professor, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2007
Arcadia University Faculty Development Grant
2021
Paul Inderbitzin Award for Best in Show – Digital, The Ellarslie Open 37/38
5th Place, Adams County Arts Council Juried Art Exhibition
2019
Arcadia University Faculty Development Grant
2017
Arcadia University Faculty Development Grant
2007
Arcadia University Faculty Development Grant
2001
Zelda Berman Fliegel Scholarship
2000
Brown-Mackenzie Scholarship
1999
University of Minnesota Fellowship
1993
University of Akron Honors Scholarship
2021
The Woodmere Annual 79th Juried Exhibition: Seeing the Story. Catalogue. Published by Woodmere Art Museum.
2009
Arcadia University: Art and Design Faculty Catalog. Glenside: Published by University via Blurb.com, 2009
2002
New American Paintings: The MFA Annual 2002, Boston: Open Studios Press, 2002
1997
Stamp, Lew, “Neighborhood Art Brings City to Life,” Akron Beacon Journal, June 30, 1997
“UA Students Share Insights on Art Project,” West Side Leader, [Akron, OH] July 17, 1997
2021
Rule, Doug, “Gallery: ‘Movements, Moments’ at Torpedo Factory Arts Center.” metroweekly.com. February 26, 2021
Jenkins, Mark, “In the galleries: A focus on the intersection of art and movement.” washingtonpost.com. February 26, 2021
2017
Newhall, Edith. "Exceptional Summer Shows at Local Galleries... and a Home for the Vox Diaspora", Philly.com, Web, July 27, 2017
2012
“Art and Design Faculty Address the ‘Persistence of Drawing,’” The Bulletin Arcadia University, Arcadia University, December 14, 2012, Web, November 7, 2013
Retter, Jen, “Drawn Together: Art and Design Professors Exhibit Work,” The Bulletin Arcadia University, Arcadia University, November 30, 2012, Web, November 7, 2013
2008
“A Night at Salon,” First Person Arts, First Person Arts, August 14, 2008, Web, November 7, 2013
Kelley, Brian, “Matthew Borgen @ First Person Arts tonight in Philly,” Technology and the Arts, Brian Kelley, August 13, 2008, Web, November 7, 2013, Print
2014
Borgen, Matthew, “The Mediation of the Vortex,” exhibition catalog, February 2014, Tiger Strikes Asteroid, Philadelphia, PA
2014
"The Meditation of the Vortex", exhibition catalog, February 2014, Tiger Strikes Asteroid, Philadelphia, PA
2024
Juror’s Lecture, York College Galleries, York, PA
2022
Artist Talk, Trajectories, James Oliver Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2021
Fleisher From a Distance: Wind Challenge Edition, Online
2019
Tamsen Wojtanowski and Jennifer Manzella panel discussion, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside, PA
Moderator
Solo Series, Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
2017
Comic Spatial Analysis, The Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster, NJ
John Hathaway: Studies, Drawings, Paintings, and Prints, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Cities in the Sky, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
2016
Revolutions of Making: Faculty Exhibition 2016, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside, PA
2015
“Chaos in Patterns: One Artist in a Series of Many,” Jennifer Titone ’11, Arcadia University Alumni Artist Lecture Series, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside, PA
Moderator
2014
“You’ll Understand When You’re Older,” Jannalyn Bailey, Arcadia University Alumni Artist Lecture Series, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside, PA
Moderator
2013
A Conversation with Jamar Nicholas and Mike Manley, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside, PA (Moderator)
2012
Arcadia University Faculty Exhibition: The Persistence of Drawing, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside, PA
2011
Arcadia University Faculty Exhibition: Scale 1:1, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside, PA
2009
Faculty Exhibition 2009: The Artist and the Object, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside, PA
2008
First Person Art Salon at the Gershman Y, Philadelphia, PA
2005
Urban Institute for Contemporary Art, Grand Rapids, MI
2024
Kitty Rauth: The Mirror Room, Harrison Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
2023
Samantha Mitchell: Land Forms, Harrison Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
2019
Tamsen Wojtanowski: Between My Finite Eyes, Harrison Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Jennifer Manzella: City Blocks, Rosedale Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
2018
Lauren Vanni: Outside In, Harrison Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Carole Loeffler: Make What You Need, Rosedale Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Abbey Ryan: the light the shade, Harrison Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
2017
Living Rocks: Benton Spruance and the Lithograph Process, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Alumni Spotlight Exhibition: Krista Proffitt - Shavers, Savers, Mansplainers, Harrison and Rosedale Galleries, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
John Hathaway: Studies, Drawings, Paintings, and Prints, Commons Art Gallery, Great Room Lobby, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
2016
David Guinn: Before the Wall, Mural Sketches and Designs, Great Room Lobby, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Alumni Spotlight Exhibition: Jesse Vincent, Other Than a Memory, Commons Art Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Jane Geayer: Harmonious Geometries, Commons Art Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
2015
Alumni Spotlight Exhibition: Jennifer Titone, Great Room Lobby, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
2014
Band of Artists: Spectrum Order Disorder, University Commons Art Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Co-curated with Alan Powell
Alumni Spotlight Exhibition: Jannalyn Bailey, University Commons Art Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
2013
Jamar Nicholas: World Building, University Commons Great Room Lobby, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Co-curated with Samantha Schaeffer
Alive! Revealing the Art of Puppetry, University Commons Art Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Co-curated with Alisa Kleckner
Alumni Spotlight Exhibition: Christopher Thomas, University Commons Art Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Presence of Process, University Commons Art Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
2012
Mitos Y Realidades: Inspiraciones De La Republica De Cuba Myths and Realities: Inspirations from the Republic of Cuba, University Commons Art Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Co-curated with Abigail Ryan
Alumni Spotlight Exhibition: Andrew Ortwein: The Greatest War, University Commons Art Gallery, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
2024
Male Gazing, James Oliver Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2022
Trajectories, James Oliver Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2021
Narratives: Hiro Sakaguchi and Matthew Borgen, Mt Airy Contemporary (miniMAC), Philadelphia, PA
2019
Solo Series, Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
2018
Fleisher Wind Challenge I, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA
2017
Comic Spatial Analysis, The Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster, NJ
Cities in the Sky, Barbara Crawford Gallery, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Philadelphia, PA
2008
Connected, 621 Gallery, Tallahassee, FL
2005
Re/creation: Storyteller, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids, MI
2001
Cycle, Emily Davis Gallery, Akron, OH
2024
The Woodmere Annual: 82nd Juried Exhibition, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Juror, Joanne Grune-Yanoff
6 Rooms 6 Experiences, NoName Gallery, Chestnut Hill, PA
Huxley and Hiro Bookstore, Wilmington, DE
2023
The Woodmere Annual: 81st Juried Exhibition, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Juror, Doug Bucci
2021
The Ellarslie Open 37/38, The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, Trenton, NJ
Juror, William Valerio, Ph.D.
Awbury Arboretum, PA
Curator, Susan Breitsch
The Woodmere Annual: 79th Juried Exhibition, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Juror, David Wiesner
Adams County Arts Council Juried Art Exhibition, Gettysburg, PA
Juror, William Crow, Phd., Director, Lehigh University Galleries
Movements, Moments, Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandra, VA
Curator, Eames Armstrong
2020
Comx, Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, Loveladies, NJ
2019
White Rabbit, H Gallery, Ventura, CA
Organized by Dab Art
Storytelling, The Yard, Philadelphia, PA
Organized by InLiquid
The Woodmere Annual: 78th Juried Exhibition, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Juror, Eileen Neff
Celebrating Selections from Our Permanent Collection, Barbara Crawford Gallery, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Philadelphia, PA
Sated (The Food Container Project), James Oliver Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2018
Entrances and Exits, InLiquid Gallery, Crane Art Center, Philadelphia, PA
2016
2016 International Juried Exhibition, Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster, NJ
Juror, Jonathon Goodman
Revolutions of Making: Faculty Exhibition 2016, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside, PA
2015
National Juried Competition 2015: Works on Paper, Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, Loveladies, NJ
Juror, Carter E. Foster, Steven and Ann Ames Curator of Drawing, Whitney Museum of American Art
Abington Art Center Annual Juried Show, Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
Juror: Gerard Brown, Assistant Professor, Tyler School of Art
2014
Performance Video And Colored Gloves, Exploded View, Tucson, AZ
Arcadia University Faculty Exhibition, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside, PA
2012
Arcadia University Faculty Exhibition: The Persistence of Drawing, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside, PA
2011
Arcadia University Faculty Exhibition: Scale 1:1, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside, PA
SEPCHE Faculty Exhibition, Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, PA
2009
Faculty Exhibition 2009: The Artist and the Object, recent work by Arcadia University fine arts faculty presented with objects from their studios, Arcadia University Art Gallery, Glenside, PA
2008
First Person Art Salon, Gersham Y, Philadelphia, PA
2006
Sound and Vision, (A collaborative work with Gary Setzer), Art Gallery Ohio University Southern, Ironton, OH
2002
The Landscape Reconsidered, Arlington Center for the Arts, Arlington, MA
2002 University of Minnesota MFA Exhibition, Katherine Nash Gallery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Visual Literacy, Orbit Gallery, St. Paul, MN
Jurors, Lyndel King, Director, Weisman Art Museum; Joan Rothfuss, Curator, Walker Art Center; Martin Weinstein, Owner, Weinstein Gallery
Consider the Ordinary – Question the Common, Furlong Gallery, Menomonie, WI
2001
University of Minnesota Graduate Exhibition, Katherine Nash Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2000
University of Minnesota Graduate Exhibition, Katherine Nash Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
Gettin’ My Mind Right, Mezzanine Gallery, Minneapolis MN
1998
Loss and Found, BFA Exhibition, Atrium Gallery, University of Akron, OH
1997
Creative Communities: Art from Akron’s Neighborhoods, Akron Art Museum, Akron, OH
2024
81st Annual Painting Show, Cheltenham Art Center
Annual Juried Student Exhibition, York College Galleries
Capital One Corporate Collection
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
