Prints for Los Angeles │ MATT COATS (1/1)
Prints for Los Angeles │ MATT COATS (1/1)
I grew up in Carlsbad, a suburb in San Diego’s North County. Despite a burning curiosity about Los Angeles, a metropolis just over an hour away, my parents refused to ever take us there. As a teenager, I made trips to Hollywood with friends to see punk shows or visit stores we couldn’t afford. While I never truly experienced LA as a kid, I was always intrigued by its allure.
In 2007, I began working in NYC as a digital tech for various fashion photographers. Before long, I found myself spending quite a bit of time in Los Angeles—a welcome reprieve from NYC’s bitter winters. One of my first location jobs had us stationed in a downtown parking lot while the Sylmar Fire, miles away, devastated 11,262 acres. The smoke cast an eerie glow over the sky, adding a layer of hazy warmth to LA’s typically crisp fall light. As the production lacked proper permits, I was left at base camp while the crew poached shots on the surrounding streets.
I’ve always been drawn to repetitive patterns and enjoy finding interest in the mundane. The tight crops of some iconic structures under the smoke-filled skies became both a way to occupy my time and an outlet that later helped me develop a clearer artistic direction.
You can explore more of Matt's work and ongoing projects here: http://mattcoats.com
NOTE: Frame not included.