Why My Mother Is My Creative Hero
Matt Silliman is a seasoned producer and director with over 20 years of experience, holding key roles such as producer, director of content production, program director, and head of delivery. He has worked at top agencies like BBDO, Huge, Moxie, 22squared, and Wunderman Thompson. Throughout his career, Matt has led teams to create award-winning campaigns for clients including TikTok, US Marine Corps, Jeep, Toyota, Shell, AT&T, Verizon, and many more.
At 22squared, he founded 22pictures™, a state-of-the-art content production company, which paved the way for his current role as head of production at Trade School.
In addition to his professional achievements, Matt has a vibrant background as a DJ, performing high-energy house music at prominent clubs in Atlanta and nationwide. During the pandemic, he revived his DJing passion and now performs regularly. Follow him on Instagram @mattsilliman_dj for updates on his gigs.
At his core, Matt is a dedicated producer who loves to create.
LBB> Who would you say is your creative hero?
Matt> Without a moment's hesitation, I would say my mom.
She has been a profound source of artistic inspiration for me. As a talented pianist and soloist, she not only taught art and creativity to children but also played a mean recorder. Her passion for music and the arts deeply influenced me from a very young age, instilling an appreciation for both the performance and technical aspects of music.
My own journey in music—learning to play the piano, trumpet, French horn, participating in professional children's choirs, playing bass guitar in bands, and now DJing and composing my own music—stems from the seeds of creativity and love for music she planted in me. Music isn't just a hobby; it's a crucial part of my life, shaping both my personal and professional pursuits.
As someone who runs production at Trade School in Atlanta and identifies deeply as a producer, I find that the creativity required in my work, whether managing challenging projects or helping creative partners realise their visions, echoes the open-mindedness, patience, and sensitivity my mother taught me.
LBB> How long has this person been important to you and what are your first memories of meeting them or coming across their work?
Matt> My mother has been important to me my entire life—undoubtedly from the very beginning. As a child, I was far from a skilled painter; my drawings were a humorous blend of rudimentary stick figures and a singular cartoon face I had mastered.
So, my mother skilfully redirected my creative ambitions toward mediums where I could truly shine. She introduced me to music and encouraged me to collaborate with others, an approach that resonated deeply with me. My vivid imagination found a perfect partner in my sister, an exceptionally talented artist. Together, we crafted magical childhood creations, from a sprawling city constructed from oversized refrigerator boxes to puppet shows and imaginative sculptures.
These early adventures in collaboration and creation undoubtedly paved the way for my future career as a producer, where I continue to work with talented individuals to bring great creative visions to life.
LBB> If it’s someone you personally know, how did you get to know them and how has your relationship evolved over the years? If you don’t know this person, how did you go about finding to learn more about them and their work?
Matt> My mom and I have always shared a particularly close bond, one that remarkably bypassed the typical teenage phase of distancing oneself from parents. Throughout my life, she has been a continual source of inspiration for me.
Her skills extended beyond her artistic talents to her exceptional communication abilities and her deep love for people, which rivalled her passion for music and art. She imparted crucial life lessons: the importance of kindness, the value of engaging with strangers in everyday situations like the checkout line, and the significance of sharing and teaching one’s skills and talents to others.
Her dedication to teaching music to children well into her later years and her readiness to assist those in need have profoundly influenced how our relationship has evolved, continually growing deeper with respect and admiration.
LBB> How does this person influence you in your approach to your creative work?
Matt> See above but it all starts with my love and passion for creativity and people.
LBB> What piece or pieces of this person’s work do you keep coming back to and why?
Matt> One of the most cherished pieces of my mom's work that I continually revisit is a CD, originally burned from a cassette which itself was recorded from a reel-to-reel of her performances as a soloist at Emory Methodist Church.
This recording holds immense sentimental value, especially since my mom passed away earlier this year from dementia.
During her time in a memory care facility, my father and I would visit her every Saturday, often bringing a CD player to share her music with her and the other residents. Despite the progression of her dementia, which robbed her of her ability to speak, she never forgot the lyrics to her songs. Whenever we played her music, she would light up with a beautiful, wide smile and excitedly exclaim, “That’s ME!” Now, having digitised her music into MP3 format, I listen to it whenever I long to feel connected to her.
Her voice not only brings me comfort, but it also keeps her passionate and creative spirit alive in me.
