13 Dec Philadelphia Artist Spotlight: Xenia Matthews

BY GABE CASTRO

The cinéSPEAK Journal publishes a monthly Philadelphia Artist Spotlight highlighting local filmmakers and moving image artists doing unique and impactful work. 

Xenia Matthews is an innovative film and visual artist making highly saturated hybrid films that stimulate the senses. Her films are influenced by and reflect her experiences of Black womanhood in all its complexities. Matthews’ work embodies the joys and struggles of Black womanhood as well as the feelings of being misunderstood. She seeks to showcase those experiences, “externalizing what is often only experienced internally.” Her work focuses on this internal world; either within the body, an internal physical, or within the mind, spiritually and emotionally.

Recently, Matthews was featured in Filmmaker Magazine as one of the 25 New Faces of Independent Film for her impactful and inspiring work. Matthews first felt a connection to creation in her youth, making art in her grandmother’s garden in Melbourne Beach, Fl. She explains how the evolving and unique environment in Florida inspired her work, saying, “the things that grow there, grow there wildly.” 

Matthew’s previous film, A Few Things I’m Beginning to Understand–a short experimental film that explores her personal musings about relationships, state-sanctioned violence, and intergenerational trauma–was shown at a variety of festivals, including Indie Memphis, Slamdance, NFFTY, and Black Femme Supremacy Film Festival. Her recent short film, OURIKA!, created as part of the inaugural BlackStar Philadelphia Filmmaker Lab, premiered at the 2022 BlackStar Film Festival.

OURIKA! is an experience. It has been described as a glamorous surreal sci-fi short film and features phenomenally trippy, gory, and hypnotizing practical effects. The film deconstructs the old tale of Ourika, a Senegalese girl who was enslaved by a French aristocrat. “She must see her true self to be set free,” says Matthews. The film is haunting and charming all at once. Matthews hopes to continue her creative journey by venturing into immersive experiences, using physical space to enhance the messages and visuals. 

cinéSPEAK asked Matthews about her filmmaking journey, from where she got the idea for OURIKA! to how her personal style comes through in her work. 

cinéSPEAK: How did you get started on OURIKA!?

Xenia Matthews: I encountered the subject of Ourika in an art history class, then further researched her life and the resulting pop cultural movement that sprung up after her death. It was such an eerie, sad story, whose perspective was deeply drenched in the white gaze. I felt a need to see her beyond that. I felt a need to see her escape the purgatory of “pet slave” status. I felt a need to see her with the humanity that she was refused. I wanted her to experience the difficult process of rebirth, then be immediately held by love.

cinéSPEAK: What would you like people to know about your work?

XM: I use a LOT of glitter in my work. I like pink and so I want to incorporate the things I like, my personality, into my work. The blob featured in OURIKA! was created by artist Doreen Garner. Garner, originally from Philadelphia, creates corporeal sculptures that utilize glass alongside silicone, beads, crystals, rubber, synthetic hair, petroleum jelly, and other materials to explore the frequently suppressed and traumatic medical histories of the Black body. Garner was one of the most important creators for the film. Her work and messaging aligns closely with my own. Also, the film was shot by Christian Vasquez, produced by Stephanie Malson, and edited by me.

cinéSPEAK: How has Philadelphia shaped and influenced the process and/or content of your work? And what impact do you hope your work will have in the Philadelphia community?

XM: I went to school here and every film I’ve ever made has been here. Philly has shaped how I see through the camera. The Philly film community is so grounded and there’s so much love and care surrounding me. This city nurtured my work and helped me grow.

I just hope people walk away from my work with thoughts they’ve never thought before. 

OURIKA! is now making its rounds in the festival circuit. Follow the artist and film on social media to learn more about where to catch this film and her upcoming projects. 

*Featured Image: Image of Xenia Matthews on the set of Ourika! posing with The Blob. Image credit: Stephanie Malson. Courtesy of Xenia Matthews.

Would you like to be featured in a future spotlight? Please fill out the Philadelphia Artist Spotlight form. The cinéSPEAK Journal maintains sole discretion over the publishing of any information provided via the form. Questions: journal@cinespeak.org

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Gabe Castro is a Philadelphia-based Latiné multimedia professional specializing in the horror genre. Gabe believes media can be used as a tool to bring social change and works in all she does to create impactful and inspiring media.