Richard Sweeney

I have been researching Richard Sweeney’s work in relation to my project “To Sense My Space”. I find it interesting that Sweeney’s work deals with how objects occupy space and how one can manipulate materials to make new spaces and shapes.  From the images below Sweeney’s exploration of space is apparent. In the first image we can see how Sweeney has cut out a series of square objects and folded them so that they stand vertically.  Using these shapes Sweeney is exploring positive and negative space and how shapes interact with the space around them. The shadows created by the squares also become a part of the sculpture. The shadows create another partial square that is now connected back to the cut out shapes; this gives the illusion of a complete square. I like the idea of using shadows or negative spaces around an object to create new shapes in conjunction with the object.

 

The image below has an emphasis on lighting and colour. The sculpture is illuminated from bellow which changes how we perceive the piece. Now the vacant space left by the cut out shapes has become the focal point of the sculpture. The orange light allows the vacant space to blend with the cut out shapes as they now become similar in colour; this again creates new shapes in the space.

 

The final piece below deals with how an object interacts with the space around it. The paper sculpture delicately flows through the middle of the stairwell occupying a space which is usually ignored and unused. With this sculpture Sweeney makes the viewer aware of the space around them.