Matthew Lopez Art399 Portfolio

Author/Artist Name

matthew W. Lopez mr., Murray State UniversityFollow

Files

Academic Level at Time of Creation

Senior

Date of Creation

Fall 12-5-2025

Artist Statement

Artist Statement — Matthew Lopez

At the heart of my practice lies Lucky Void, a persona and creative extension of myself that thrives within and alongside the warfighting community. My work is a tribute to the culture and contradictions that define the modern warrior. Through the use of mediums such as graphic novels, videography, photography, illustration, and the reworking of "acquired" military gear, I explore the identity and aesthetics of those who live within our niche community.

The visual language of Lucky Void rejects the overused tropes that dominate both mainstream and military art—the endless parade of skulls, nods, and clichés. Instead, my work draws from the shared imagery many of us grew up with and reinvents it through the scope of military life, much like the transformative process of indoctrination itself. What emerges is something familiar yet still completely distorted—a reflection of how the individual becomes part of a collective story.

Ultimately, my work exists almost exclusively “for the boys” as both an act of creative expression and a communal rallying point. It’s constantly a reminder that even within structure, there’s room for distortion, humor, absurdity, and art. Through my work, I aim to redefine what warfighter art can be: raw, self-aware, and deeply human.

Advisor/Mentor

Sarah Martin

Description

digital illustration an photos

Recommended Citation

Lopez, matthew W. mr., "Matthew Lopez Art399 Portfolio" (2025). Professional Practices (ART 399). 194.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/art399/194