Mat Barber Kennedy's father is an architect and Mat trained for six years to follow in his footsteps. Having studied Architecture at Sheffield University he then continued his training at the Royal College of Art, but realising his urge to paint all the time he became a professional artist. His striking architectural studies have quickly gained him considerable acclaim and he received the Architectural award at the Royal Institute. He has subsequently been made a full member.

Mat has recently returned from a long trip to India and Nepal where he immersed himself in the culture and naturally the Architecture of those countries. His own personal techniques of watercolour and collage allow him to create beautiful and unique work exploring the effect of man and time on buildings and living environments.

His paintings of frontages and individual buildings are often created around a patchwork of collaged paper which has been disguised by layers of tone and colour, drips and splashes. Mat also makes use of a linear element that ties in the more apparently accidental aspects to create a convincing and masterful whole.

Now living in Chicago with his wife and young sons, Mat has received considerable acclaim for his one man shows in Chicago and Detroit. He has produced in association with Shell House Gallery five limited edition prints of India, New England, Detroit and Mexico.