‘Origin Story’

‘Origin Story’, 2023

Matthew Lindblad

Oil on Canvas – 36″ x 36″

This is one of a 3 part series. This series was deeply cathartic for me. Creating these pieces made me reflect on my own journey. I was born on February 14, 1991, and after receiving a vaccine at four months old, I developed a high fever that caused brain swelling and affected my motor cortex. The vaccine was later discontinued in the U.S. in 1996 after similar reports, though I want to be clear that I am not against vaccines. The canvas is divided into quadrants to represent my age when this turning point occurred. Bright pop colors, silver foil for the syringe needles, and copper foil for the vaccine bring the story to life. This work is my way of showing how painful and powerful moments shape who I am as both a person and an artist.

Matthew is an artist whose oil paintings serve as a visual autobiography, reflecting his life’s journey and inner experiences. Born in Florida and raised in New York from the age of two, Matthew earned a degree in art history and political science from Fordham University.

Matthew’s art is deeply shaped by his lived experience with cerebral palsy and by the ongoing dialogue between his physical reality and society’s perceptions of disability. Through his work, he invites viewers to engage with his story, cultivating empathy and understanding across diverse experiences.