Matthew Fisher's images of 19th century soldiers show introspective figures who exist in a world of implied chaos and visceral reactions. Fisher's solitary soldiers contemplate their inner struggles during the quiet moments of war. A military officer bathing in a lake or clutching a daisy on a hilltop represents the moments in between battles, when a person who must act instinctively under fire has the chance to reflect on the events that have led to that peaceful moment. Fisher's soldiers often find themselves in ambiguous situations of uncertain destiny – a rider falling off his horse or a weary drummer marching into battle – yet he does not depict the actual battle or cause of death.

Matthew Fisher is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and Columbus College of Art and Design. He has exhibited his artwork in group shows, including "AC" at Elizabeth Dee Gallery, "Toys in the Attic" at Lennon Weinberg Inc., New York and "Honeymoon with Romeo" at Groeflin Maag Galerie AG in Basel Switzerland; his first solo show was at Spector Gallery, Philadelphia, in October 2004. He has also done residences at Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont and the Millay Colony for the Arts in Austerlitz, New York. Fisher lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

Text by Christina Vassallo