Ben Matthews

• Audio description of "Saw Clawed Lobster" by Ben Matthews

  
  

  Audio description of "Saw Clawed Lobster" by Ben Matthews, an artist-in-residence at Acadia in 2022.

  Date created:

  08/13/2023

  Audio Transcript

  This illustration is intended to be an imaginative parody of detailed anatomical studies common in early natural history field guides. It depicts a lobster with saw-like appendages rather than large, meaty claws. The paper upon which it is drawn appears to be aged, yellowed, stained and weathered. The lobster is placed upright in the middle of the paper – tail toward the bottom, head toward the top, arms outward and up -- with thin, rectangular borders lining the edge of the margins. Inscriptions in black delicate cursive read, “Saw-Clawed Lobster, Schoodic Harbor,” “Figure 5” and “Lobster Traps and Claw Adaptations, 23.”

  The lobster is drawn with heightened attention to detail, including the numerous folds and creases along the shell, its various legs, and small, circular markings along its body. The artist uses hues of turquoise blue, mustard yellow, dark greys, and specks of brick red to add depth to the color of the lobster, making it appear life-like. Two grey “saws” sprout out the ends of the lobster’s arms, with numerous serrated notches along the edges of the blades, making them look sharp, and dangerous.

Photo courtesy of Ben Matthews. Used with permission.

My piece depicts mysterious adaptations from this not-quite time or place based on current environmental concerns and social topics. My exploration into a unique, fantastical and sometimes unsettling universe aims to encourage viewers to ponder current concerns by presenting a glimpse at futuristic flora, fauna and manmade inventions that have resulted from our impact on the world.

– Ben Matthews

Ben Matthews is a fine artist based in Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1995 and has exhibited his work locally and nationally since 1998.

Ben’s recent work explores fictitious field studies that depict mysterious adaptations and inventions from this not-quite time or place based on current environmental concerns and social topics. His drawings combine visual puns and irony with social messages. His exploration into a unique, fantastical and sometimes unsettling universe encourages viewers to think about current concerns by presenting a glimpse at futuristic flora, fauna and manmade inventions that have resulted from our impact on the world.

Visit his website.

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