North Country | Matt Moberg

Matt Moberg (b.1985, St. Paul, MN) is a self taught artist based in Minneapolis, whose journey into the world of art began as a means of staying alive. In 2020, after years of struggling with addiction, Matt’s therapist suggested that the next time a craving came on, he should try art as a way of pushing back and saying no. Despite having no previous exposure to the art world, Matt followed this advice and found new life through doing so.

For Matt, art has been salvific in this way. Both the brush and the pencil have empowered him to effectively navigate life’s challenges while keeping his character in tact. His work is derived from this space; a collection of pieces that are a raw and unfiltered excavation of life, a search for what lies beneath all of the debris that we pick up along the way. Matt’s work attracts attention with bold brushstrokes, sharp contrasts, great movement and powerful imagery.

Matt continues to create art that speaks to the human experience, and often does so through the lens of an animal. Whether it is through the power of a bear or the grace of a stallion, for Matt, these creatures embody the ultimate aim for us all – a return to our manufacturer settings where we can embrace who we actually are and how we want to live.

Matt Moberg’s story is a testament to the transformative power of art. He has cultivated a devoted following of collectors and art enthusiasts who appreciate his raw authenticity, talent and the unique path that brought him to where he is. Despite the challenges that have come his way, through addiction and loss, Matt carries a conviction that the best is still to come. Matt believes that through the healing potential of artistic expression, we can all find the courage and strength to overcome our struggles and embrace the beauty that is here.

Away from the studio, Matt is most often found with his best friend and wife, Lauren, and their three incredible boys Wyatt (11), Sawyer (8) and Graham (5). Matt also serves as the Team Chaplain for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

North Country is a space to catch your breath; a portal to a world where nature reigns supreme and time stands still. Through this collective glimpse into what I’ve set out to go after, I’m trying to go back home and I would love to bring you with me. As an artist, I have faced my own demons, wrestled with my own shadows and stumbled along the rock path of addiction. This collection is a testament to my journey – a journey that has been marked by moments of darkness, but also illuminated by a flame of hope. In what has easily been the hardest season of my life, I consistently find solace in art. Making art has become my refuge; where I can set down the heavy I've picked up along the way and move towards something more. Through doing so, the studio has become my sanctuary, bearing witness to this agonizing path towards redemption that began in a place of ruin.

“North Country is not merely a diary that I'm allowing you to read, but rather a particular part of me that holds within it a universal reality for us. In each painting, you will find echoes of my journey that likely will resonate with yours – the tangled brushstrokes symbolizing the chaos of addiction, the vibrant hues representing the flickers of hope and the bold lines telling a story of defiance. This is my humble offering to you, and I offer it up with the hope that you will remember that it is never too late to turn North and come back home. Life is a gift. Love is the point. Welcome to the North Country.”

Regular Gallery Hours: Tues – Sat, 11am – 6pm or by appointment