From Above

About

Swensen states that minimalism: “Reflects and executes a concept in the artist’s simplest of terms. Starting from nothing and stepping slowly forward towards an idea”.

Objects, architecture and the use of repetition inspire Swensen’s work, enabling him to transform simple shapes into delicate concepts. Treating his surfaces with care, rich pigments and paints are repeatedly applied until the surface is deemed perfect. He finds a middle ground between painting and sculpture, constantly creating a sculpture while thinking about painting and vice versa. Regardless of the medium there is always the concept of refinement and simplicity. Downsizing his works into smaller more intimate experiences he tries to provide a big impact in a smaller form, jumping out from the work in an aggressive manner through rich dark colours and bold shapes.

In an exclusive, first, European launch From Above explores, Swensen’s own creation process, in a new body of work which he defines as an operation of slowing down to refine things and producing artworks from an intimate vantage point. The manual act of leaning over a work table while trying to conjure elegance and meaning out of recurrent tasks. Taking up additional space then intended, just as people need physical space, with mirror like or reflective surfaces his works become more about the viewer’s curiosity and unveils a sort of truth about what is seen or not seen in the space it’s in. Light and placement impact the functionality, recognising architectural highlights.

Dave Swensen has taken part in numerous solo and group exhibitions: Grey Contemporary, USA; Galerie Bisenbach, Germany; Hello Studio, USA; ROOMS Gallery, USA; International Gallery of Contemporary Art, USA; Laundromat Art Project Space, New Zealand; Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, USA. In 2017 Swensen participated in the artist residency program at Hello Studio Gallery.