Opening Reception: UMSL Alumnus Displays Caricature Art at U City Library

University of Missouri–St. Louis alumnus and St. Louis-area native Matt Hirschfeld has made a name for himself in Los Angeles by creating black-and-white celebrity caricatures.

In December, he’ll bring his artwork to his hometown crowd when his digital illustrations go on display at the University City (Mo.) Public Library from Dec. 3 to Dec. 30. More than 20 of Hirschfeld’s caricature pieces will be on display.

His work draws inspiration from the entertainment industry, with most of the subjects being film and television stars, as well as musicians, sports figures and politicians.

“I love being able to bring their personalities to life on paper,” said Hirchfeld, who studied graphic design at UMSL and earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies in 2003. The upcoming show will be the first public exhibit of his work. There will be an opening reception at the library, 6701 Delmar Blvd., from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7.  The event is free and open to the public.

Hirschfeld said there’s a great appreciation in Hollywood and Broadway for his type of classic line style. He has created cast drawings for several film studios such as Lionsgate and Walt Disney, and has also done artwork for Broadway. His work has been used by clothing companies, banks and nonprofit organizations.

What makes Hirschfeld’s caricatures unique is that they’re not drawn by hand. Instead, he uses a computer to digitally draw the caricatures.

“Many people take great interest in seeing it reintroduced in an entirely new medium,” he said.

Hirschfeld lives in Los Angeles, a city he said offers him more advantages than the Midwest.

“I am surrounded by studios and people in the industry or people trying to get into the industry whom I meet almost every day,” he said. “I think people see some credibility when they know that you are doing your artwork out here and are committed to your endeavors.”

But Hirschfeld is quick to note that the first drawing he ever created for a film studio was drawn in his apartment in University City.

“So it goes to show you that you don’t have to be in Hollywood to get someone’s attention,” he said.

KTVI (Channel 2) interviewed Hirschfeld in 2010.