David Sherry
dal 7/9/2005 al 9/10/2005
Segnalato da
7/9/2005
David Sherry
Maes & Matthys Gallery, Antwerp
The artist is focusing on the information flow that is continuously being sent, transmitted and received. His work deals with human relations and the failure of social convention. He presents a photo installation, video works and a drawing piece.
Solo exhibition
DAVID SHERRY (°1974 Newry, Northern Ireland) lives & works in Glasgow
David Sherry’s work deals with human relations and the failure of social convention. He is on a crusade
to produce artworks that investigate the settled patterns of communication and expose the systematic
processes of day to day life. Very often his work evolves from a series of drawings and takes a more
narrative theme through performance and video pieces. His fast sketched drawings show the absurd
in everyday life and are very often pragmatic proposals to improve our existence. He is continually
trying to disrupt his daily structure to get an altered view and undertakes long-term performances in
which he plays with routines and rituals. Performances with self-explanatory titles as ‘Carrying a bucket
of water about for a week’ and ‘Avoiding eye contact for one seven day period’ are self imposed
‘instructions’ which add perspective to his otherwise ordinary life. Other works, such as running for
buses he couldn’t catch, or applying for jobs he didn’t want, have been described as 'exercises in
comic disappointment'. The strength of David Sherry’s art lies in his ability to examine common situations
and to show the dark, humorous and the absurd within the familiar.
In 2003, Sherry was nominated for the Beck's Futures prize (one of Britain's most prestigious awards). For
this, Sherry presented ‘Stitching’, a video of the artist sewing pieces of balsa wood on to the soles of
his feet, while giving deadpan instructions to the camera.
David Sherry studied at the Glasgow School of Art. He has had solo shows at Jack Hanley San Francisco ‘05, Gallery of Modern Art Glasgow ‘04, Schnittraum Cologne ‘03… He also participated in group projects at Gagosian London ‘03, Beck’s Futures London ‘03, Jennifer Flay Paris ’03, Zenomap Venice
Biennal ‘03…
INFO RETREAT
For his first solo show in Belgium, Sherry is focusing on the information flow that is continuously being
sent, transmitted and received. He presents a photo installation, video works and a drawing piece.
David Sherry: “People are extracting meanings and deciphering information at every point of their lives. The act
of translation and interpretation is a constant one and defines our views. To take a holiday suggests relaxation - to
go away – to have a break from normal play and wallow in a primitive dumb info-retreat. This can also be a place
to lay down in the back garden and attempt to realise a romantic schizophrenic other, unfortunately this is where
delusion and flustering breed together. Holidaying means to act as one should act without a forced ‘Super conversion’
which is a necessity these days. A person who announces they’re on holiday always looks stupid because
they’re clearly lost…” (full text available in the gallery)
Opening nocturne: Thursday 8 Sept. 18h - 21h
Maes & Matthys Gallery - Pourbusstraat 3 - 2000 Antwerp - Belgium