Matley Hurd — San Francisco Mural Artist at Umbrella Alley
San Francisco-based visual artist Matley Hurd creates
colorful, otherworldly artwork inspired by comic books, anime,
graffiti, science fiction and mythology.
His work spans large-scale murals, mixed media and digital illustration,
with expressive figures surrounded by sweeping ribbons of color, bold
abstract forms and a sense of constant movement.
Matley recently completed a new mural at
Umbrella Alley 2.0 in Fisherman’s Wharf,
bringing his unmistakable visual style to the Alley’s growing collection
of San Francisco public art.
Matley Hurd’s New Mural at Umbrella Alley
Matley Hurd’s newest San Francisco mural can now be seen at
Umbrella Alley on Jefferson Street in Fisherman’s Wharf.
The mural brings together many of the elements that make Matley’s work
instantly recognizable: expressive characters, saturated color, flowing
abstract shapes and the futuristic, mythological energy found throughout
his larger body of work.
It is a particularly natural fit for Umbrella Alley, where murals are meant
to be experienced up close rather than viewed from across a gallery.
Visitors can walk right beside the artwork, explore the details, take
photographs and see how the mural changes depending on where they stand.
Matley’s mural joins works by other San Francisco and Bay Area artists as
Umbrella Alley 2.0 continues its next chapter in Fisherman’s Wharf
,with new murals and installations continuing to transform the space.
About Matley Hurd
Based in San Francisco, Matley Hurd works across
painting, mixed media, digital illustration and large-scale public murals.
His influences stretch across contemporary street art and pop culture,
including comics, anime, graffiti, science fiction and mythology.
Those influences come together in a style that feels both graphic and
dreamlike. Faces and figures emerge from energetic fields of color while
sweeping lines, ribbons, circles and abstract shapes seem to move across
the wall around them.
Although Matley had been making art for years, public mural painting became
an increasingly important part of his work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As plywood temporarily covered storefronts throughout San Francisco, artists
found themselves with unexpected new canvases across the city.
What began with a single mural developed into a growing collection of
public artwork throughout San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.
His murals can now be found on walls, buildings, shipping containers,
public streets and large-scale temporary art installations.
A recurring theme in Matley’s public work is the use of color and character
to bring energy, surprise and a little bit of fantasy into everyday urban spaces.
Star Goddesses, Color & Cosmic Energy
One of the most recognizable elements of Matley Hurd’s artwork is the
recurring figure he calls the Star Goddess.
These ethereal characters blend the storytelling energy of comics and anime
with mythology, street art and futuristic imagery. Their expressive faces
are often surrounded by ribbons of saturated color, floating shapes and
sweeping abstract forms.
The result can feel simultaneously ancient and futuristic — part goddess,
part superhero and part visitor from somewhere several galaxies away.
The Star Goddess concept has appeared throughout Matley’s public artwork
and is one of the easiest ways to recognize his work when exploring murals
around San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Star Goddess — The Box Shop, San Francisco
One of Matley’s most recognizable public works is his
Star Goddess mural at The Box Shop in San Francisco’s
Hunters Point neighborhood.
Painted across the doors of a shipping container, the mural features a
striking figure framed by flowing blue and purple forms. It is one of the
clearest examples of the character-driven imagery, cosmic atmosphere and
graphic style that have become signatures of Matley’s work.
Matley Hurd Murals Around San Francisco and the Bay Area
Matley’s work extends well beyond Umbrella Alley. His murals have appeared
throughout San Francisco and across the Bay Area, ranging from building-sized
figures to artwork painted directly onto city streets.
“3 Sisters” — Napa Lighted Art Festival
For the 2024 Napa Lighted Art Festival, Matley created
“3 Sisters,” a large-scale mural featuring three of his
signature Star Goddess figures.
Painted around a former bus depot in Downtown Napa, the artwork wrapped
expressive figures and flowing abstract shapes around the structure.
Ultraviolet lighting added another dimension after dark, giving portions of
the mural an especially luminous, almost supernatural quality.
Lyon Slow Street Mural — San Francisco
Matley has also taken his mural work off vertical walls and directly onto
the streets of San Francisco.
His design for the Lyon Slow Street transformed pavement
into a huge neighborhood-scale artwork incorporating recognizable
San Francisco imagery including wild parrots, dahlias and the
Golden Gate Bridge.
The project is a great example of how public art can completely change the
feeling of an everyday street. Instead of simply walking or biking past the
artwork, visitors actually move across it.
Page Slow Street — San Francisco
Matley followed the Lyon Street project with another community-oriented
public artwork along Page Street.
Created with community participation, the project celebrated Page Street
as an important walking and bicycling route through San Francisco. The
enormous street-level canvas allowed Matley’s graphic style and flowing
forms to work at a completely different scale.
Market Street Arts — Downtown San Francisco
Matley also brought his recognizable visual style to
Market Street in Downtown San Francisco.
The mural features a striking central female figure surrounded by brilliant
ribbons, floating spheres and energetic abstract forms — a strong example
of the visual language associated with his Star Goddess work.
“Dream in Color” — Golden Gate Park
Matley’s artwork has also appeared along the
JFK Promenade in Golden Gate Park as part of the
Golden Mile public-art project.
His contribution, “Dream in Color,” brought his colorful,
flowing visual style into one of San Francisco’s most visited public spaces.
The project helped turn the car-free promenade into an outdoor environment
filled with art, installations and gathering spaces.
St. Anthony’s Foundation Mural — San Francisco
Matley also created a mural connected with
St. Anthony’s Foundation, the longtime San Francisco
nonprofit serving people in need.
The artwork combines a large central figure with energetic blue, purple and
pink forms against a warm background. It is an early example of many of the
visual elements that would become closely associated with Matley’s public art.
Public Art Beyond San Francisco
Matley’s mural work has continued to expand beyond San Francisco, with
projects appearing in other Bay Area communities including
Oakland, San Jose and Napa.
While the scale and setting may change, his work remains easy to recognize:
expressive figures, vivid colors, strong graphic lines and a world that
seems to sit somewhere between mythology, science fiction and street art.
Discover More Umbrella Alley Murals
Matley’s mural is one part of a growing collection of public art at
Umbrella Alley. The space features colorful murals, interactive artwork and
installations created by San Francisco and Bay Area artists.
5 Fun Facts About Matley Hurd
- His signature figures are called Star Goddesses.
These otherworldly characters have become one of the most recognizable
elements of Matley’s artwork. - His public mural career expanded during the pandemic.
Temporary plywood covering San Francisco storefronts unexpectedly created
new canvases for artists around the city. - Not all of his murals are on walls.
Matley has designed enormous public artworks painted directly onto
San Francisco streets. - Anime and comic books are major influences.
Their storytelling, character design and expressive linework can be seen
throughout his murals and illustration. - He works across both traditional and digital media.
Matley moves between painting, mixed media, digital illustration and
large-scale public art.
Follow Matley Hurd
Want to see what Matley is creating next? Follow his social channels for
finished murals, works in progress, studio projects, digital artwork and
new public-art installations.
- Instagram: @matleyhurd
- TikTok: @matleyhurdart
See Matley Hurd’s Mural at Umbrella Alley
See Matley’s newest mural alongside colorful public art and interactive
installations by artists from around San Francisco and the Bay Area at
Umbrella Alley 2.0.
Umbrella Alley San Francisco
366 Jefferson Street
Fisherman’s Wharf
San Francisco, CA 94133
Umbrella Alley is an evolving public-art project, with additional murals
and installations continuing to be added over time. Opening days and hours
can vary, so check the latest visitor information before heading over.
Come for the murals. Stay for the photos. And keep an eye out for a Star Goddess.
Help Bring More Murals to Umbrella Alley
Umbrella Alley keeps growing because artists keep creating. Donations help
support new murals, artist projects, materials and future public-art
installations throughout the Alley.
If you enjoyed Matley Hurd’s mural and would like to help bring more
San Francisco and Bay Area artists into the space, your support helps make
the next artwork possible.
Help turn the next blank wall into something unforgettable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matley Hurd
Who is Matley Hurd?
Matley Hurd is a San Francisco-based visual artist and muralist
whose work includes large-scale public murals, mixed media, painting and
digital illustration. His artwork draws heavily from comic books, anime,
graffiti, science fiction and mythology.
What is Matley Hurd known for?
Matley is especially known for his colorful, character-driven murals and
recurring Star Goddess figures. His work combines expressive
faces, flowing abstract forms, vivid color and imagery influenced by comics,
anime, mythology and science fiction.
What are Matley Hurd’s Star Goddesses?
Star Goddesses are recurring figures in Matley Hurd’s artwork. The characters
blend influences from mythology, anime, comics and science fiction and are
often surrounded by ribbons of color, floating shapes and energetic abstract forms.
Where else can I see Matley Hurd murals?
Matley Hurd’s public artwork can be found around San Francisco and the
greater Bay Area. Projects have included work at The Box Shop,
Market Street, Golden Gate Park, Lyon Slow Street and Page Slow Street,
along with large-scale murals in Napa and other Bay Area communities.
What inspired Matley Hurd’s artistic style?
Matley draws inspiration from anime, comic books, graffiti,
science fiction and mythology. He combines those influences with
painting, illustration and street-art techniques to create his colorful,
highly graphic visual style.
Does Matley Hurd work in mediums other than murals?
Yes. Matley also works in painting, mixed media and digital
illustration. His mural work grew from a broader visual-art
practice rather than being his only medium.
How did Matley Hurd start painting public murals?
Large-scale public art became a much bigger part of Matley’s work during
the pandemic, when boarded storefronts around San Francisco created new
opportunities for artists to paint in public spaces. His mural work
expanded from there into projects throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area.
What are some of Matley Hurd’s best-known mural projects?
In addition to his new mural at Umbrella Alley, Matley’s public-art projects
include “3 Sisters” in Napa, “Dream in Color” in Golden Gate Park,
his Market Street mural, the Lyon and Page Slow Street murals, and his
Star Goddess work at The Box Shop.
How can I follow Matley Hurd’s latest work?
Follow Matley Hurd on Instagram @matleyhurd
and TikTok @matleyhurdart for murals, works in progress, studio art and new public-art projects.