BIO
Mark Swords (b.1978, Dublin) is an artist who lives and works in County Wicklow, Ireland. Although principally a painter, Swords’ work also includes sculpture, collage and text. His work is best described as open and unrestricted, incorporating numerous influences and a diversity of interests such as crafts, history and literature. In recent years installation has become a notable aspect of Swords’ work such that it often involves the elaborate construction of spaces in which to exhibit his paintings. His artworks and exhibitions include multiple, and often contradictory references, both personal and historical in an attempt to reflect the inherent confusion of contemporary culture.
Swords has had significant solo exhibitions at The Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts, Dublin (Tribuna, 2021) and Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, Dublin (The living and the dead, 2017). His recent exhibitions include The list and the line with Alan Phelan at The casino at Marino, Dublin, I must walk toward Oregon at Kevin Kavanagh, Dublin, Portico, 2021, with Tanad Aaron at The Complex, Dublin and TAUCHGANG, 2019, a group exhibition at Galerie Christian Lethert, Cologne. Lost Highway Guy, 2018, was Swords’ fourth solo show at Kevin Kavanagh, Dublin. Other notable exhibitions include, VOLTABasel, 2014 and I won’t say I will see you tomorrow, 2013, a group project and multi-venue exhibition based on the writings and architecture of Ludwig Wittgenstein. Swords was the recipient of the AIB Art Prize in 2011 which resulted in a solo exhibition at Wexford Arts Centre titled Mosaic. He has had two books published on his work, Tribuna (2022) and Mosaic (2012).
C.V.
Born in 1978, Dublin, IRE
Resides and works in Wicklow, IRE
Education
2002-2004 Masters Degree in Painting, NCAD, Dublin
1997-2001 Degree in Painting, NCAD, Dublin.
Selected solo and two person exhibitions
2024, The list and the line with Alan Phelan, Casino at Marino, Dublin
2023, I must walk toward Oregon, Kevin Kavanagh, Dublin
2022, Tribuna, RHA Gallagher Gallery, Dublin
2021, Portico with Tanad Aaron, The Complex Arts Centre, Dublin
2018, Lost Highway Guy, Kevin Kavanagh, Dublin
2017, The living and the dead, Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, Dublin
2014, Hinterlands, Kevin Kavanagh, Dublin
2012, Mosaic, Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford.
2010, Perennial, Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford
2009, Flying crooked, Kevin Kavanagh, Dublin
2007, Mark Swords, Kevin Kavanagh, Dublin
Selected group exhibitions
2021, Periodical Review, Pallas Projects, Dublin
2019, Tauchgang, Gallerie Christian Lethert, Cologne
2016, Mystery Ewer, Artbox, Dublin, a two-person show with Jane Fogarty
2013, I won’t say I will see you tomorrow, Mermaid, Wicklow curated by Aoife Tunney
2012, Periodical Review, Pallas Projects, Dublin
Making Familiar, TBGS, Dublin curated by James Merrigan and Robert Armstrong
Painting Now, Ron Mandos Gallery, Amsterdam
After Dark, Mermaid Arts Centre, a two-person show with Caoimhe Kilfeather
2010, Building Sights, Kevin Kavanagh, Dublin
2009, Futures, RHA Gallagher Gallery, Dublin selected by Patrick T. Murphy
Look Again, Purdy Hicks, London curated by Aidan Dunne
2008, Group Therapy, Kevin Kavanagh, Dublin
2007, Thirty Two Thousand Years Later: Painting at Pallas Contemporary Projects, Dublin
2006, Utopias, Eigse, Carlow (Invited Artist), curated by Clíodhna Shaffrey
Collections
Arts Council, Dublin, IE
Trinity College, Dublin,IE
Kupferstichkabinett, Berlin, DE
Office of Public Works, Dublin, IE
Wesley College, Dublin, IE
Martin Asbaeck, Copenhagen, DK
Awards, residencies and grants
Arts Council agility award, 2022
AIB Art Prize, 2011
Selected press
Tom Lordan, “The list and the line review” in The Irish Times, 2024
John Graham, “Tribuna” in The VAN, 2022
Eoghan McIntyre, “Portico, The Complex” in PVA Journal, 2021
Aidan Dunne, “Art in Focus, Lost highway guy” in The Irish Times, 2018
James Merrigan, “Longform: In conversation with” in Iamnotapainter.com, 2017
Aidan Dunne, “Life, death, day, night: The world of Mark Swords” in The Irish Times, 2017
Davey Moor, “Mark Swords: The living and the dead” in Critical Bastards, 2017
Declan Long, “Mark Swords” in Essays and Reviews, 2012
Bibliography
Mark Swords, Tribuna,Dublin, IE, RHA Gallery, 2024
Mark Swords, Mosaic, Dublin, IE, Mark Swords and Atelier Projects, 2012
Represented by;
Kevin Kavanagh,
Chancery Lane, Dublin
Ireland
info@kevinkavangh.ie
+353 1475 9514