Matthew Kaufman is a queer Jewish artist currently residing in Chicago, Illinois. Focusing on discrete parts of the body, Kaufman uses clay to create theatrical sculptures exploring conversations of humor and self-discomfort. By isolating and hyperbolizing body parts, abstract figures, and domestic objects, he examines the different registers in which his body is taken up and given significance. The result is a compelling method by which Kaufman negotiates his own bodily insecurity and awareness and puts these affective states in conversation with his viewers. In this, Kaufman navigates themes of domesticity, mental health, nakedness, and self-acceptance. He received a BA in Studio Art and Psychology from Brandeis University and will receive his MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2025.