Artist Statement

“My artistic methods have evolved as much as my ideas over the past several years. Much of my early training and practice was focused on oil painting and pen-and-ink drawing. Though I continue to work in both these media, I have begun to focus more on larger conceptual themes expressed through multimedia exhibits that incorporate paintings, drawings, photography, 3D installations, and video.

I approach my projects as interwoven pieces of a constantly evolving examination of the movement and rhythm of life. From the evolution of an individual person to the intertwining rhythms of humanity and the environment, I look to document the world in a way that helps to open up new ways of seeing and reflecting upon life. My most recent work is a collaborative multimedia project that I am working on with my wife, a writer and filmmaker. We are exploring the notion of how people in today’s modern, fast-paced and disposable world can still capture the smallest, yet often most rewarding, human experiences.”

Biography

Michael Sweeney exhibits throughout southern New Jersey and Philadelphia, PA and has produced several local art shows. Sweeney’s work can also be found in private collections across the country. An active member of the Da Vinci Art Alliance in Philadelphia, Sweeney is involved in the installation and management of area shows and was twice selected as the instructor of a guided children’s tour of Da Vinci exhibits at Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia. His work has been featured by local publications including The Inferno Newspaper and The Burlington County Times. View articles

Sweeney has worked as a teaching assistant for advanced sculpture and 3-D design courses at Rutgers University in Camden, NJ; an art instructor at Liberty Lakes Day Camp in Burlington, NJ; and a volunteer art instructor for special needs students at Cherokee High School in Marlton, NJ. In addition, he has more than 10 years experience in graphic advertising/sign making, carpentry, and architectural restoration.

Sweeney studied at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, earning a bachelor of arts degree from Rutgers University. He has also completed post-graduate studies in art and education at both Rutgers University and Rowan University.

Exhibition List

Sunshine & Flowers, The Smile Gallery, Philadelphia, PA – July 2008

Rutgers University Alumni Juried Exhibit, The Stedman Art Gallery,

Rutgers University, Camden, NJ – May 2008

Moving Past Water: Reflections on the Delaware River, The Phantom Gallery, Millville, NJ – November 2007

Rutgers University Alumni Juried Exhibit, The Stedman Art Gallery, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ – May 2007

Moving Past Water: Reflections on the Delaware River, The Phantom Gallery, Da Vinci Art Alliance – January 2007

Creative Cross-Pollination, Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia, PA – August 2006

Cut it Out Juried Exhibit, The Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA – March 2006

Love Thy River, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ – February, 2006

Exhibition of 8 original works, The Other End Gallery, Millville, NJ – December 2005

Annual Group Show, The Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA – December 2005

Rutgers University Student & Faculty Exhibit, The Markheim Center for the Arts, Haddonfield, NJ – December 2005

Rutgers University Student Exhibition, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ – May 2005

Rutgers University Student Show, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ – May 2005

Visual Voices: An Exhibit of Local Burlington County Artists, Art & Soul Salon, Riverton, NJ – November, 2004

Virtua Family 2004, The Pavilion Art Gallery, Mt. Holly, NJ – August, 2004

Michael Sweeney Fine Art Spring Floral Series Exhibit, Art & Soul Salon, Riverton, NJ – May, 2004

The Art of Living; The Art of Dying, The Pavilion Art Gallery, Mt. Holly, NJ – October, 2003