Philip Matthews was born in Belfast. Attended Maidenhead School of Art under the landscape painter Bernard Casson, then at Reading University, then studied with Victor Pasmore and WIlliam Coldstream at Euston Road School in 1939. His work was included in the 1948 Euston Road School exhibition at Wakefield City Art Gallery and in notable collections such that of Edward Le Bas. Exhibited at the London Group, NEAC, RA and other venues.