The work of artist Matthew Turner explores the meeting point of art, science and the human drive to explore. A passionate adventurer and painter, Turner draws inspiration from the great milestones of space exploration – from the early Soviet missions to SpaceX launches – and continues the rich tradition of artists who have celebrated the wonder and ambition of humankind’s reach for the stars.
Historic launch vehicle Vostok-1, inspired by the artist’s visits to the Moscow Museum of Cosmonautics.
My art explores the relationship between science and art. It was after I visited the Moscow Museum of Cosmonautics that I was inspired to paint. Struck by the huge space hardware, it seemed to me that space exploration represented the most positive aspects of humanity. Great achievements are only made possible by the collaboration of skilled, knowledgeable people working together towards a common goal. Inspired by and reflecting what I have seen, my paintings represent possibility and hope.
Saturn V, Stage 2 Engines, study created from drawings and photos taken in the Kennedy Space Center.
I first saw the Vostok rocket in 1995; I was living and studying Art in Moscow. I was told about the Cosmonautics Museum and the rocket by a friend. I set out on the Metro on a crisp cold Russian winter’s day. When I first saw it, I couldn’t believe my eyes. A real Russian rocket! At that moment I experienced a myriad of feelings.
Standing there excited, in awe, overwhelmed by power, scale and raw materials, I felt small.
There was a sense of anticipation; I was below, looking up in awe at this machinery, man-made creations, inexplicable technology and engineering. It was a rocket, but how much energy they must need to get this thing off the ground? Was I standing on the launch pad? Was this a dangerous place? That thought made me feel a little uneasy. The colours made it look old. Decommissioned apparatus from a bygone space programme, left to rust. It actually made me feel calm.
Study based on photos of prototype spacesuits. The artist’s take on this particular design is that it is stylish but probably very claustrophobic.
Twenty-two years later I found myself looking up at the Vostok rocket again and those same feelings returned. I had to paint it. I had returned to Moscow and I was struck by the sight of the rocket again.
I am a UK-based artist and I have always had a passion for space travel, exploration, the outdoors and adventure. I studied for a Fine Art painting degree in the 1990s and during that time I had the opportunity to study at the Moscow Institute of Architecture (The Marhi). The experience had a great influence on me personally and on my artwork, particularly the time I spent at the Moscow Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics.
The Soft X-ray Imager (SXI) on the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE).
I was struck by the technology, the art and the symbolism. I went on to explore my own use of symbolism and abstract forms in my painting. I am also influenced by Cold War Space Race propaganda and retro sci-fi art.
Over the last 20 years, I have taken every opportunity to travel and explore. I have cycled across America, Iceland and Europe and mountain biked in the Andes and the Amazon. I have also ridden my motorcycle to the Arctic, all in the name of personal exploration, adventure and inspiration.
I have been working on themes of space exploration and optimism. As well as Moscow, I also visited the Kennedy Space Center to research visual sources for art that I am working on at present. Most of the work is based on drawings and photos taken from primary sources at Kennedy and in Russia. While at Kennedy, I was lucky enough to be present during the launch of a SpaceX Falcon. Experiencing the raw power and energy of the rocket inspired me, and I try to convey that in my painting; the anticipation of a huge release of power, and an event waiting to happen.
In April 2022 I was honoured to be asked to exhibit my work at the Legends of Space live show in Lausanne, Switzerland. As the resident artist, I was there as the ‘A’ in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics). I was fortunate to meet Apollo astronauts Charlie Duke, Dave Scott and Gerry Griffin, along with author and entertainment professional Bertram Ulrich who acts as the Multimedia Liaison for film and TV collaboration at NASA.
I was a winner of the 2024 NASA Space Tech Art Challenge: Imagine Tomorrow design prize for my Evacuated (Vacuum) Airship concept design for Martian surface exploration. NASA challenged artists and graphic designers to create posters to visualise future technologies under development under its Innovative Advanced Concepts Program which studies innovative, technically credible, advanced projects that could one day “change the possible” in aerospace.
I have worked as a secondary and post 16 Art teacher for 22 years and during that time have developed key parts of the curriculum such as space art projects, spacecraft design and perspective drawing techniques. I have found that art is an excellent way to get students interested and curious about space science, and a great way that art, design and science could come together in education.
Post Soviet futurism design for the Vostok-1 launch vehicle.
In 2024, I organised and co-curated an art exhibition at Space Park Leicester. ‘Space: Science and Nature’ took place during International Space Week and along with organising and curating the exhibition, I delivered school workshops and activities throughout the week.
My intention as an artist is to work in the great tradition of artists in the NASA Art Program and Soviet cosmic school. To promote, educate and inspire people to the possibilities and achievements of space science from the past, present and into the future. I hope to continue to work with space science organisations on future projects to perhaps, re-establish links between art and science, to inspire and promote scientific exploration.
About the author
Matt Turner is a UK-based artist with a passion for space. He is an elected artist member of the International Association of Astronomical Artists. In 2023 he was awarded funding from Arts Council England to visit Kennedy Space Centre to meet with curators, astronauts and artists from the NASA Art Program, and to develop his creative practice and deliver STEAM workshops in the East Midlands in the UK. He was a winner of the 2024 NASA Space Tech Art Challenge: Imagine Tomorrow. In 2025 he created art in collaboration with scientists and engineers at Space Spark Leicester. He has exhibited at Space Park, First Site Gallery in Colchester and Leicester Space Centre.