Mark Swords

In Mark Swords’ work, ideas and materials have a symbiotic relationship. Ideas suggest materials, which in turn suggest the form or nature of a piece of work be it painting, drawing or object. The American artist Richard Tuttle has said, “There is an intelligence in the hand.” Swords’ work refers to this simple yet complex idea, the handmade object having, by its nature, an intelligence which is not cerebral.

Swords’ work demonstrates a curiosity with materials and their relationship to both art making and the real world. The conception of his pieces occurs outside of the studio, and always involves a notion of its material properties. These ideas are worked through in the studio and often rely on some unforeseen addition for their completion, the physical act of realising an idea altering and giving new possibilities to the original concept.


Artist Website


BIOGRAPHY

Born in Dublin, 1978. Lives and works in Co. Wicklow.


EDUCATION

2002-04 MA Fine Art Painting, National College of Art and Design, Dublin

1997-2001 BA Degree Fine Art Painting, National College of Art and Design, Dublin.


SOLO EXHIBITIONS

flying crooked, Kevin Kavanagh, Dublin, 2009

Mark Swords, Kevin Kavanagh, Dublin, 2007

Mark Swords, Ashford Gallery, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, 2004


SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

Futures, Gallagher Galleries, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, 2009

Look Again, Purdy Hicks, London, 2009

Group Therapy, Kevin Kavanagh, Dublin, 2008

Thirty Two Thousand Years Later: Painting at Pallas Contemporary Projects, Dublin, 2007

Utopias, Eigse, Carlow (Invited Artist), 2006

Group Show, Ashford Gallery RHA Gallagher Gallery, Dublin, 2005

yiai, Arthouse, Dublin, 2004

NCAD Masters Degree Exhibition, Dublin, 2004

RHA Annual Exhibition, RHA Gallagher Gallery, Dublin, 2004

50/50, Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin, 2003

Iontas, Sligo Art Gallery, 2003

NCAD Degree Exhibition, Dublin, 2001


COLLECTIONS

Wesley College, Office of Public Works


PUBLICATIONS

In Conversation, collaboration with the Artist Paul Doran for Catalogue in conjunction with Sligo Art Gallery, 2006

Thoughtlines 6, National College of Art and Design publication, 2004

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