Biography – Matthias Bork (MABO)
Matthias Bork, known artistically as MABO, was born and educated in Bingen am Rhein, Germany, and descends from a family of painters and artists tracing back to the mid-19th century.
Originally trained as a baker, pastry chef, chocolatier and food stylist, he honed his craft at prestigious establishments including the Steigenberger Hotel and CP Plaza Hotel in Frankfurt, The Mandarin Hotel in Bangkok, The Grand Hotel in Stockholm, and The Old Stone Inn in Niagara Falls.
In 1986, with modest means and great determination, Matthias immigrated to Canada, where he opened his own restaurant, The Spicy Thai. The restaurant quickly became a favourite among notable guests such as Oscar-winning special effects director Colin Chilvers, Olympian Silken Laumann, MP Peter Kormos, and members of Jean-Claude Van Damme's fight choreography team. The Spicy Thai was a pioneer of authentic Thai cuisine across Southern Ontario and Western New York.
Alongside his culinary career, Matthias continued to pursue his passion for art. He studied in Germany, Canada, and Mexico, and became a full-time artist in 2000, though his artistic journey had begun decades earlier. Between 2000 and 2025, he created thousands of works, exhibiting throughout Europe and North America.
MABO specialises in non-objective mixed media, working in oil and acrylic on canvas and paper, as well as on furniture and large-scale murals. His collectors span the globe, with works held in Canada, the United States, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Scotland, Norway, Italy, Switzerland, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Australia, and Vietnam—gracing both private residences and commercial spaces.
While often associated with Abstract Expressionism, MABO's style is fluid, incorporating elements of surrealism, pointillism, and action painting. His distinctive use of colour, form, and texture has created a recognisable "MABO" identity, marked by expressive freedom and emotional depth.
Beyond the studio, Matthias has also demonstrated remarkable craftsmanship in heritage restoration. Since settling in Canada, he has purchased and single-handedly restored eight historic properties, including two on the heritage-designated Yates Street in St. Catharines. His meticulous work included stucco restoration, traditional marbling, faux finishes, and gold leaf applications—a testament to his artistic versatility.
A writer as well as a painter, Matthias founded his self-publishing company in 2002 and has since published 11 books, including the award-winning Die Gräfin und der Bauer, which earned Best Short Story honours from IDA, Germany.
In 2011, he founded the artist collective Art Vision, bringing together four St. Catharines artists to collaborate and exhibit collectively.
MABO's artistic and cultural contributions have earned him critical acclaim, regional recognition, and international honours. He has been acknowledged by the City of Thorold and the Niagara Region for his outstanding contribution to the local arts community. Among his international distinctions is an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Emil Brunner University, Brazil, awarded in recognition of over three decades of artistic achievement.
His growing reputation led to a Wikipedia entry in German and personal commendation from Romina Power, the renowned singer and daughter of Hollywood legend Tyrone Power.