Matthew Harris' recent paintings bring together minimal serial abstraction with familial narrative and institutional critique, particularly as these are conveyed through materials and their histories. Parallel to his painting practice, Harris also produces sculpture in a range of materials that draw on the labour of family members and reference icons of European sculpture. Humour and queer identity operate as vessels for disruptive content.

Harris presented a solo exhibition in his hometown at Wangaratta Art Gallery (2025–2026) and a two-artist exhibition at Gertrude Glasshouse, Melbourne (2022). He has exhibited in biennials and major group exhibitions including the 2026 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Yield Strength, the 8th Yokohama Triennale (2024), Between Waves at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne (2023), and Melbourne Now (2023). He was a studio artist at Gertrude Contemporary, Melbourne from 2020 to 2023. In 2024 he completed his first public art commission at 602 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, for Make Room, a collaborative project between government and the philanthropic sector addressing homelessness in Melbourne.