Born: 6 August 1982, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Communication Design, Syracuse University
Occupation: Artist, creative director, entrepreneur; Partner and Chief Creative Officer at MATTE Projects (formerly known as MATTE).
Early life and education
Matthew Rowean was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He pursued visual arts at Syracuse University, receiving a BFA that combined painting with communication design.
Career
Early career
After graduating, Rowean began his professional path as creative director for Strategic Group (2005‑2008). In 2008 he co‑founded RJW—later rebranded as JWALK—with Doug Jacob and Charli Walk. The agency produced brand identity work for clients such as Lacoste, David Yurman, Equinox, and the American Broadcasting Company (ABC).
MATTE Projects
Rowean joined MATTE Projects in 2012, initially as a partner and later assuming the role of Chief Creative Officer. Under his creative leadership, MATTE expanded from a New York‑based creative studio into an international production company known for large‑scale events, fashion collaborations, and digital content creation. Notable initiatives include:
- Full Moon Music Festival – a boutique festival that originated at South Street Seaport and later moved to Governors Island, attracting up to 10 000 attendees.
- Black – a visual‑art and sound experience launched in 2013.
- HERO venue – an immersive storytelling space opened in Rockefeller Center in November 2023, featuring spatial audio and video installations.
Rowean has overseen campaigns for high‑profile brands such as Google, Tom Ford, Cartier, Adidas, Amazon, YSL, and Dom Pérignon. He also coordinated live‑music productions for artists including Kanye West (including the IMAX‑streamed “Free Larry Hoover” concert), The Weeknd, and Rihanna’s Met Gala after‑party.
Awards and recognition
In 2019 Rowean was among the Emmy nominees for the documentary Fyre: The Greatest Party that Never Happened. MATTE Projects’ work under his direction has earned multiple Clio Awards, particularly for luxury brand campaigns with Cartier.
Artistic practice
Beyond his agency work, Rowean maintains an active personal art practice focused on abstraction. His paintings are characterized by layered compositions built over extended periods, exploring color relationships and formal ratios. He exhibits in galleries across New York and internationally.
Personal life
Rowean resides in New York City. He is a frequent speaker at academic institutions such as NYU, USC, SCAD, Tulane, and Syracuse University, discussing the intersection of art, commerce, and cultural production.
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