ART IN A BOX HITS THE STREETS By Lucy Wilson

A FINE art graduate keen to get his name known in the art world is selling his work from vending machines.
Matthew Hogan, has just graduated in fine art with first class honours from Staffordshire University and is now trying to make a name for himself as an artist.
Last year he set up an exhibition at Coventry's Herbert Art Gallery and Museum called Hogan Matthew - free work of art.
The 22 year-old, of Southbank Road, Coundon Coventry, gave away photocopied pages of an imaginary dictionary with a biography of himself as a famous artist.
Now he is selling the photo copies for £1 (now £2) a time from HAYVEND vending machines scattered around central London including one in the Institute of Contemporary Art.
The machines were the brainchild of London-base artist John Hayward who has involved 80 artists.
Art enthusiasts put £1 (now £2) in the machine without knowing which work by which artis will come out.
Matthew said, "The vending machines are quite popular. John has made it quite a professional operation."

picture VENDING PACK: Matthew Hogan with on of the Hayvend boxes containing a piece of his work. Picture Pete Roberts

LETTERS responding to above article

12.11.1999
"IS THIS REALLY THE ART PEOPLE WANT TO SEE?"
PHOTOCOPIES from a dictionary? Just as I was forgetting - sorry, getting over - pickled farm animals and giant steel angels, along comes Matthew Hogan and confuses me even more.
Initially I was rather encouraged and spirited to learn from your reports (late August, headline: "Box Art Hits the Streets" and Lucy Bell's art column 0ctober 30) and several art magazines that this young Coventry artist in making his mark in our capital.
Thus, as a regular visitor to London's Art galleries, I was intrigued to seek Mr Hogan's ,contribution to the art world.
Yet upon encountering his work in the usually inspiring and prestigious Institute of Contemporary Art I was somewhat bemused, not to mention disappointed.
I'm afraid I must be an artist (dare I still claim the title) who is rather out-dated, I paint landscapes and portraits. Is that so bad?
By approaching various art galleries, I have discovered that, let's say "real" art that most like to see is being overshadowed by "modern" art.
I cannot remember the number of 'sympathetic' galleries who "regret" that they cannot offer me exhibiting space.
Don't get me wrong. I wish the young, cult artist Matthew Hogan every success, but surely our demand for art lies more with pleasant lifelike scenes executed in paint, than, if it exists, skillful photocopying.
Vernon Ward
Mantilla Drive,
Stivichall.

24.11.1999
'Is it art' bore
I AM an art student studying in London, though I'm originally from Coventry. I visited the ICA after I was sent your article about a Coventry artist exhibiting there.
While back in Coventry last weekend I saw Mr Ward's letter in your newspaper.
Like Mr Ward I also went to see and buy Matthew Hogan's work from the vending machines and, in fact, really liked it.
It is a humorous piece of work. I think Mr Ward missed the point - all the points. Art doesn't have to be a painting or a bronze sculpture.
The problem is, the outside world has always been decades behind art-world developments.
Fifty years into the next millennium sliced-up-cows and photocopies will be readily accepted by the public as art - in fact photocopy art has been around since photocopiers were invented. Likewise with faxes, as David Hockney's recently discovered work shows.
In my opinion artists aim to explore and make sence of our world and therefore do so by naturally making use of contemporary materials and exploring new technology.
I hope my letter someway evens the balance in the age-old and boring argument of "is it art?" - even great artists like Turner, Monet and Picasso were mocked with such questions in the early stages of their careers.
Kieran Gallagher
Pitt Crescent
Wimbledon
London