Artist’s First work sells at the Royal Academy

Dunmow Broadcast and Recorder – Thursday June 14th 2007

An Artist from Dunmow is still pinching himself after his first ever work was accepted and sold at this years Royal Academy of Arts summer exhibition. Kevin Sweeney, a father of two from White Street, claimed he was stunned that his first two sculptures had been accepted by judges to be shown at the prestigious art event, and that both pieces had sold.

caring “It sounds like a complete cliché but it still hasn’t really sunken in yet. These are the first two sculptures I have ever created and it was great to have them accepted. But when I heard that one had been sold on private viewing day lat Thursday, I was amazed. Then to be told that the other one had been sold on the opening Monday, I’m just speechless.”

Mr Sweeney says the impetus for his art came after going through a rough time during which his wife asked him to leave their home shortly followed by the death of a close friend.”

“ I had all these feelings about the way people have an inability to care and how when you are down, you are on your own. No one seems to care and that’s what my first piece of work is about. That’s why I called it “Caring”. It’s a human thing. There is a feminine feel to it, but its also sad.”

industriousHis second sculpture, called “Industrious”, is about getting back on his feet and getting back working and functioning in life. “ It’s about giving something back to people. You get so much more if you give something that if you take. If people would just give a bit, the world would be a much better place to live,” he explained, adding: “ Industrious has a more masculine feel.”

eggThe family was completed by Mr Sweeney’s third sculpture, an egg. This was shortlisted by Royal Academy judges, but did not make it to the final exhibition.

Seeing his art accepted in such a way has inspired Mr Sweeney to take his work further and he says he is filled with energy “I now want to explore new areas such as chrome dipping” he said, “I am also working with another artist called Steve Fogg, who as far as I know, is the only ultraviolet sprayer in Europe. We are creating 3D optical illusion art where dips look like they bulge out and a seemingly plain sphere, given a different light, can transform into something like the moon.”

Mr Sweeney will be exhibiting work later in the year, including an exhibition at the Flitch Gallery.

Kevin

Kevin

Sweeney’s first works were sold at the Royal Academy in 2007. He has since created various one off pieces for prestigious exhibitions including the highly respected Eaton Terrace Gallery in Belgravia, to corporate commissions at BAA Stansted Airport. A colourful past and method-acting career inspires Sweeney’s sculptures, specifically his study of the Laban technique. This understanding of the negative space surrounding an object and the pressures found moving through it feed energy and drama into his work. A meticulous finishing process follows which reflects the artist’s personal journey and obsession. The result brings a totally unique sensation from the interplay of colour, reflection and form on their tactile surfaces. Featured on the BBC’s Royal Academy Summer Exhibition Show and the RA Illustrated Catalogue, BBC Essex Radio and now BBC’s ‘Look East’ are documenting the commission and installation of a Sweeney sculpture at the Burlington club in Mayfair.

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