Matthew Naftzger

"I create artifacts. These are the objects that will be the strange, unexplained relics found in our future."

Matthew’s creations are a mash-up of space traveling circus acts, post-apocalyptic sideshows, Fabergé eggs, rocket-building Cro-Magnon men, wonderfully terrible “B” sci-fi movies, found machine language, societal comment, and internal questions. Whether it’s the lost past or unknown future, these works hope to always invite questions and curiosity.

While these works look to be from another time or place, they are wholly created by Matthew from new, blank materials. Titanium, precious metals, vitreous enamels (glass kiln fired on metal), steel, and bronze all have their places within the work. Pieces are fabricated using many jewelry techniques, along with machining and TIG welding.

After Matthew left the Marines, he went to study engineering and fine art at Colorado State University. He impatiently left early to fully pursue art and fine craft, concentrating on metals. Learning while working with a number of jewelers and painters, he was able to become full time in 2001. The explorations continue.