We caught up with Matt Cockayne, an independent artist based in Chesterfield, to talk about his work, his creative journey, and the local places that continue to inspire his art.
Matt has been working as an independent artist for over 11 years, with a style rooted in architectural illustration and scene-based artwork inspired by familiar local settings. His work often blends old and new, drawing on the history of buildings while reimagining them in a bold, modern way. Having originally started out creating artwork inspired by Sheffield, Matt’s focus has increasingly turned to Chesterfield landmarks and local scenes.
His art is instantly recognisable for its bold colour palette and graphic style, with influences drawn from pop art icons such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. These influences are combined with Matt’s love of local architecture, resulting in colourful prints that celebrate everyday places in a fresh, contemporary way.
Art has been a lifelong passion for Matt. He has been drawing since childhood and originally set his sights on becoming a graphic designer, a goal he achieved through self-teaching rather than formal education. Those skills still play a huge role in his work today, as Matt handles everything himself — from printing and packing to the final presentation — allowing him to remain fully independent.
One of Matt’s most popular prints is “Rainy Days in Chesterfield”, featuring the town’s iconic Crooked Spire set against a rainy backdrop. The scene includes raindrops, swallows in flight, and people walking toward the spire beneath umbrellas, capturing a familiar Chesterfield moment with warmth and character.
Looking ahead, Matt has exciting plans for 2025 and 2026. He is currently working on a long-form mural made up of three connected pieces. Having already completed a mural of Sheffield, his next project will focus on Chesterfield, illustrating the entire town with its local businesses and well-known landmarks, celebrating the community on a much larger scale.
Published on
December 9th 2024