Mat Van Dongen

Mat Van Dongen (b. 2001) is a Bay Area artist. Since joining NIAD Art Center in 2023, he has produced bold geometric and figurative paintings, delicate mixed-media collages, and hand-built ceramic vessels. Recently, Van Dongen embarked on a series of paintings inspired by the storied lives and music of The Beatles. Other recurring themes in his practice are more personal, experimental, and mysterious.

As a skilled raconteur, Van Dongen deftly wields humor in much of his work, such as in a hand-lettered text painting that reads “Band on a walk,” and in small watercolors of avocados with human names. His ceramic sculptures reference items from bars or domestic spaces – including stoves, plates, skillets, cigars, beer mugs, and shot glasses – and often serve as storytelling props. He explains his creative spark: "The idea to make a stove out of clay – that came to me in a dream. I’ve seen things like this in pottery studios: a stove with a chimney built from soft clay that gets fired up. I’ve never seen anyone cook food in a sculpture like this, but I was thinking we could light it up."

Mat Van Dongen has exhibited work at the Richmond Art Center, 120710 Gallery, Narrative Gallery, and the Main Gallery at NIAD Art Center. In 2025, his profile was featured on the Visual Artists of Richmond directory, and he participated in the corresponding public showcase, Richmond Open Studios.

I made this painting of The Beatles. In the early 60s they came to America, and then Paul joined the band Wings. He was an inspired person and he had a big hit with Wings. Some hits we don't hear anymore, but Paul, he was a very thoughtful Beatle at the time. From any album you look at in the 60s, this is the one you gotta check out. Paul was inducted into Wings when they had a lot of hits and he said, "Let's just make one record" and I thought, "This is something I'd like to see on that record cover, this painting."

I’d like to put on a music event -- a festival to celebrate The Beatles and all the instruments they played. It’s good to take the time to appreciate their music and the music we can make out here.