Artist Profile: Matthew Taverniti
By the Bay Exhibition, Rose de Freycinet Gallery, 2026
Matthew Taverniti has refined his use of airbrushing to a remarkable level of technical finesse.
A self-taught artist whose painting practice grew from more than a decade working in the automotive industry, Taverniti uses the technique to record the wildlife of the Bay with extraordinary precision. Moving from Perth to Denham more than a decade ago to work at his uncle’s panel beaters, he was immediately captivated by the native fauna of his new home, encountered both in and out of the water. Discovering an airbrush kit belonging to his uncle, he taught himself to use it in his limited
spare time, gradually developing increasingly detailed landscapes, nature studies and portraits.
By the Bay marks the first time Taverniti has exhibited his work in a gallery, having previously shared his paintings primarily through social media. He has created two works in airbrushed paint on aluminium sheet metal for the exhibition: a fantasy underwater scape populated by fish, rays, jellyfish and octopuses, and a close-up portrait of a Woma Python inspired by his own pet snake, Agro. The works’ high-gloss automotive clearcoat enhances their photographic precision and almost hallucinatory vividness.
Curated by Andrew Nicholls
Conceived by the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery & Visitor Centre,
Installed by Andrew Nicholls and Aiyana Wright
Project Managed by Julia Fenny
Videography by: Michael Fletcher
Photography by: Ash Buchholz
This project is delivered by the Shire of Shark Bay, and made possible through the Regional Arts Venue Support program managed by Western Australian State Government.
