120×80 cm, oil on canvas

Matthew was a joy and inspiration to all who were privileged to know him. His life impacted and blessed everybody who knew him.

He was born on September 23, 1988, in Salt Lake City to Johanna (Anneke) Dame Robison and Ernest Parker Robison with severe disabilities. At birth, Matthew’s life expectancy was to be only a few hours. However, fortitude and endurance, combined with the power of God, granted Matthew to live ten and a half years, enveloped in the love of his family and friends. His family considered it an honour to spend this tíme with him here upon the earth. They leamed from his courage and marvelled at his joy and happiness in the face of the struggle. They will be eternally changed by his presence and later on by his passing.

“He opened the hearts and the eyes of all who carne in contact with him”- said his parents.

In the year 2000, his dad, Ernest Robison, and his cousin Susan Comish created a sculpture for Mathew’s grave. This unique monument depicts the young boy bolting up from his wheelchair and reaching for Heaven, healed and free from his burdens.

This sculpture stands in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Its history and the art of representation held me captive for months until I and finally decided to paint it.

For the first time, I felt what ‘bitter-sweet’ meant. I’ve never seen death represented with so much hope before.

On the back of the monument are these words:

“In memory of those who walk more closely in the hands of God

And who more humbly lift the world, inspiring the hearts of men with their legacy.

Complete in love, they return home again to God.

To behold his face and be wholly healed In joy forevermore.”