Five years ago, Matthew Callaby made a bold career change that would transform his artistic journey. The Bristol-based artist left behind the world of advertising agencies to pursue his passion full-time, establishing his creative identity as MrCallaby. Through colorful paintings and sculptures that explore universal themes and emotions, he has built a distinctive cartoon-inspired universe that combines commercial appeal with unbridled creativity.
MrCallaby's work draws heavily from cartoon inspiration, evident across his entire artistic portfolio. His bold use of primary colors and expressive characters immediately capture viewers' attention, but beneath the surface lies deeper meaning. "Despite the work's cute, chubby appearance, there's usually a slightly more somber atmosphere behind the image," MrCallaby explains. "In the past, I'd say my work was more visual eye candy; creating big, bold, hectic images was the goal. Over the last couple of years, I've tried to develop more of a voice in the work, weaving in subtle ideas that I think have really benefited it."
The artist's evolution became particularly evident in his most recent exhibition, CHEERS, held in London in September. This collection of painted and sculpted works explored the complex theme of social drinking through anthropomorphic bottle characters. While some pieces captured the exuberance of Friday night revelry, others revealed the darker consequences of indulgence. "The work featured scenes of excess, blurry regret, vices balancing on top of one another, vicious circles, and odes to the jubilation and regret that come with drinking," MrCallaby describes. "The intention was for these ideas to be subtle, in the background and not too worthy."
The CHEERS exhibition's innovative layout enhanced its storytelling impact. The ground floor resembled a London pub atmosphere, featuring artworks filled with smiles, merriment, and fully saturated abandon. However, visitors who ventured downstairs discovered a stark contrast – painful hangover imagery rendered in grim, monochrome charcoal. Works with titles such as "The Morning Realization" completed the narrative arc from celebration to consequence.
The exhibition's standout pieces were MrCallaby's Boozy Bottles – hand-painted vinyl sculptures that each expressed specific ideas or feelings associated with drinking experiences. Collectors could choose from uniquely titled pieces like Orange Regrets, Powder Puff Rampage, and Teal Slammer, though the entire collection quickly sold out. "Bringing some of the characters from the paintings into the real world has given the collection a whole new dimension," the artist notes. "Someone said, 'It's like putting your hand into the painting and pulling out the physical form,' which I absolutely loved."
MrCallaby's creative universe extends far beyond alcohol-themed works. Each year, he adopts a new theme that he explores comprehensively through detailed sketches. Once the concept and collection begin taking shape, he meticulously applies eight layers of acrylic paint to his canvases, achieving the super-saturated, vibrant colors that define his signature style. "The first year was the Sad Flower collection, featuring images of flowers crying, playing with the idea that the brightest, happiest people can be having a tough time," he recalls.
Looking ahead, MrCallaby has already conceptualized his next exhibition, though he's currently taking a different approach to his creative process. "For now I'd like to spend a few months painting ideas that haven't made their way out of the sketchbook, creating freely for a while without the pressure of it needing to be part of a bigger series," he explains. This philosophy reflects his core belief that creativity should never be constrained or bottled up, allowing artistic expression to flow naturally and authentically through his distinctive pop art style.
