just because... here is an interview i just did:
Why did you begin the 31 Days project?
This project is all about love and professional respect. i had started painting in 1994 and after a good deal of success as a gallery artist, i met dana ellyn in 2001. she and i dated and a curator challenged us to come up with an exhibition in 2003 that highlighted our relationship. i came up with the idea to create 31 unique paintings in july inspired by the news of the day. since dana saw herself as an artist as well, i figured this would be a great way to challenge her to see if she really had the "crazy" in her to do everything all day to be a painter. she obviously answered my question and has since smashed any question or doubt i ever had about her dedication or ability to paint. the "31 days in july" project has, for 10 years, challenged us to wake up each day in july and create a…
Milestone 2013
United Nations Postage Stamp
United Nations Postage Stamp — Selected by the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) to be featured in their international postage stamp program as a disabled artist. Painting "Dive Bomb" (created 2012 for an exhibition at The Fridge gallery, Washington, DC) chosen for the "Break Barriers, Open Doors" stamp sheet; unveiled at UN High Level Meeting on Disabilities and Development, New York City (September 23, 2013). Print run: 129,500 stamps produced; distributed internationally through UNPA. Full press release at stamps.sesow.com. Part of the "Break Barriers, Open Doors" series alongside Chuck Close, Josephine King, Sargy Mann and Pete Eckert; issued in US dollars, Swiss francs and euros and sold at UN offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna (SOLD OUT). UNPA Creative Director Rorie Katz noted the artists’ “powerful messages of achievement”
Pictures · click to enlarge
Matt at the time · his Facebook posts
the stamps from the UN are now available for purchase directly from the United Nations Postal Administration. By the end of October, 2013, you can get a framed and signed stamp directly from Matt. contact matt off of sesow.com for the framed version. here is where you may order the stamps directly from the UNPA: http://unstamps.un.org/unpa/products/Break_Barriers_-_Open_Doors/_1.70/Mint/index.html
In September 2013, the United Nations General Assembly will hold a High-level meeting on Disability and Development to raise awareness about the work of the UN in ensuring the equality and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development. A social media campaign "Break Barriers - Open Doors" will highlight how persons with disabilities can have a positive impact in their respective communities.
On 20 September 2013, the United Nations Postal Administration will issue six stamps on the theme "Break Barriers - Open Doors". For this stamp issue, UNPA selected artists from around the world with incredible stories that highlight the positive power of full and equal participation of peoples with disabilities.
Excited for Monday, headed to the UN in New York for the dedication ceremony of my stamp!
http://unstamps.un.org/unpa/en/products/Break_Barriers_-_Open_Doors/_1.70/index.html
China's Ambassador to the United Nations Liu Jieyi ... I met him at this event and he is awesome.
at the UN in new york city with my beautiful wife Dana Ellyn on sept 23, 2013 for the unveiling ceremony of the stamp with my painting on it.
Where this record comes from
- history.sesow.com (live, 2026-10-03)
- Career Highlights v16
- Matt Sesow’s Facebook posts (artist’s own export), matched to this entry by name and date
Cite as: Sesow, Matt. “United Nations Postage Stamp.” Matt Sesow Career Chronicle, 2013. history.sesow.com/e/2013-united-nations-postage-stamp-selected.html. Accessed [date].
Were you there? Do you have a photo, a clipping or a memory of this? Please write to sesow@sesow.com or use Ask Matt a question, and it will be added here.
Also in 2013
- Press Washington Post — Sesow cited among established D.C. gallery artists in a gallery roundup
- Exhibition “Icons,” Galeria ArteVistas, Barcelona, Spain
- Exhibition “Beautiful People,” Waverley Street Gallery, Bethesda, MD
- Exhibition Two-Person Show — with Dana Ellyn
- Exhibition Joan Hisaoka Gallery, Washington, DC
- Exhibition Transformer Gallery 10th Annual Silent Auction & Benefit, Corcoran Museum of Art
- Exhibition Two-Person Show — with Dana Ellyn
- Milestone Final year of “31 Days in July”
- Press Barcelona TV — btv.cat / El Pla B
- Press UN stamp program feature article
- Exhibition Two-Person Show — with Dana Ellyn
- Exhibition Two-Person Show — with Dana Ellyn
- Exhibition Two-Person Show — with Dana Ellyn
- Exhibition Art Enables, Washington, DC — opening January 12, 2013, with Dana Ellyn and Andrew Wodzianski
- Exhibition robot sculpture in a show at Artisphere, Arlington, VA, curated by Andrew Wodzianski and Jared Davis, with…
- Media Matt attends the UN Postal Administration’s unveiling of his “Dive Bomb” stamp at UN headquarters, New York
- Exhibition Miss Pixie’s Furnishings & Whatnot, Washington, DC
- Milestone Begins DEFILED, an ongoing series of collaborative paintings with Dana Ellyn
- Press Gràffica — Spain
- Press Detour Art — “Passionate paintings of Matt Sesow”
- Exhibition “Inaugural Visions” — Off Rhode Studio at Art Enables, January 2013
- Press The Boston Globe Gallery Pick: “Defiled,” April 10, 2013
- Exhibition “Piece of Cake” — FOE Gallery, June 2013
- Exhibition “Día de los Muertos” — Arlington Arts Center, November 2013