Spencer Sweeney

The Modern Institute, April 9—May 1 2005

Spencer Sweeney presents a solo show of new paintings at The Modern Institute, Glasgow. Taking place as part of Glasgow International, Festival of Contemporary Art, the exhibition will open from Saturday 9th April until Sunday 1st May 2005 (weekend viewing by appointment).

From his role as the only non-female in the seminal ‘fake’, rock band ‘Actress’ to his production of dance records under the name ‘Housing Projects’, Sweeney exploits the allure and excitement of music to attract attention and remake his public persona.

Sweeney’s recent exhibitions of paintings and drawings reveal - by turns - an anarchic, wild boy sensibility and, in his pen and pencil drawings, an elegant graphic approach that channels both the visionary hand and ear of William Blake and the precision social caricatures of 19th century dandy Constantin Guys.

Whether dealing with images or sounds, Sweeney’s primary concerns are the corrosive and emancipatory potentials of public exposure, and the tactical re-appropriation of pop and sub-cultural codes in order to turn them back against the homogenizing force of the very culture he takes them from.

Sweeney studied at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia PA. He lives and works in New York.

THE MODERN INSTITUTE
Suite 6, 73 Robertson Street, Glasgow G2 8QD, tel +44 (0)141 248 3711, fax +44 (0)141 248 3280, mob +44 (0)7916 137 632