Capturing beauty through detail and narrative in every painting.
Classic albums with a story to tell
Capturing beauty through detail and narrative in every painting.
Discover the Art of Matt Sparrow
About me
For over 15 years, I’ve been exploring the art of photorealistic painting, blending meticulous detail with storytelling to create scenes that feel alive. My work celebrates the beauty of everyday objects and the cultural moments they evoke, crafting narratives that connect the viewer to a sense of time, place, and meaning.
Music is a constant thread in my paintings. Inspired by iconic albums, I create still life compositions where the objects surrounding the record tell their own story. Whether it’s Blur’s Parklife evoking the charm of British café culture with a bacon sandwich and HP sauce, or The Specials’ debut album, which features a red telephone and a reel-to-reel tape recorder—a nod to the song Gangsters and its lyric, "Why do you record all my phone calls, are you planning a bootleg LP?"—my work captures the spirit of these records in vivid, tactile detail.
But my art isn’t limited to music. I also explore playful and unexpected narratives, such as a toy Stormtrooper searching for a lost character on a quintessentially British breakfast table. These pieces allow me to venture into new directions while staying true to my love of storytelling.
Each painting begins with a carefully curated still life, arranged to reflect the narrative I want to tell. Shot from dynamic angles, the scenes are designed to draw the viewer in, making the objects feel as though they’re emerging from the canvas. Using oil paint, I aim to achieve a level of realism that captures not just how things look, but how they feel—familiar, nostalgic, and deeply human.
Through my work, I hope to connect people to the moments, objects, and stories that resonate with them, blending art and culture in a way that sparks memory and conversation.
Gallery
Oasis’ Definitely Maybe
With Definitely Maybe as the centrepiece, this painting nods to Oasis’ rise in the mid-90s. The Blue Moon craft beer references the song that Manchester City play before every home game, (the band are ardent supporters of the team), while Benson & Hedges Gold cigarettes recall Noel Gallagher’s personal preference, as seen on the original album cover.
The Specials’ Debut Album
This piece celebrates the ska pioneers' legendary debut with a playful nod to their track Gangsters. At the centre is the album itself, surrounded by a red telephone and a reel-to-reel tape recorder, referencing the lyric: "Why do you record all my phone calls, are you planning a bootleg LP?". The carefully chosen objects and soft lighting bring the mood of 1970s Britain
De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising
Vibrant and playful, this piece captures the conceptual humour of De La Soul’s iconic album. Shredded Wheat and Ludens cough sweets are cheeky nods to the album’s lyrics and skits, while the daisies reflect the sunny optimism of its sound. (Da Inner Sound Y'all)
Blur’s Parklife
A tribute to British café culture, this piece features Blur’s iconic Parklife album surrounded by a bottle of HP sauce and a bacon and egg sandwich. The warm tones and tilted composition reflect the album’s charm and wit, inviting you to relive the quintessential British experience.
Storm in a Tea Cup
A playful twist on pop culture, this painting features a toy Stormtrooper searching for a missing character amidst the most British of settings—a breakfast table. With a bottle of ketchup, a cup of tea, and poached egg on toast, the juxtaposition of the epic and the ordinary creates a quirky and relatable narrative. The soft lighting and photorealistic detail invite the viewer t
