Andrew McSweeney

Bio

Andrew McSweeney is an Irish digital artist who primarily works with 3D software and new technologies. He completed a BA in Fine Art at the Crawford College of Art & Design CIT/MTU, in 2015 and an MA in Interdisciplinary Design Practice in 2021 from the Limerick School of Art & Design. Recent exhibitions include his solo exhibition Alone Again, Natura Diddily at the Marina Market, Cork (July 2022), The Stars Are In The Earth at A4 Sounds, Dublin (August 2022), a virtual reality application displayed at the Earth Rising: IMMA Outdoors: Eco Festival (October 2022) at the Irish Museum of Modern Art., as well as digital work displayed as part of the group show Switch / PLAY in Nenagh, Tipperary, Ireland (November 22). McSweeney will exhibit work at the electronic language international File Festival at the Fiesp Cultural Center in São Paulo – Brazil (July-August 2023). He was recently awarded the Visual Arts Agility Award in 2021/2022 by the Irish Arts Council and is a member of Sample-Studios & Backwater Artists Group in Cork City, Ireland.

Artist Statement

My practice has strongly developed through 3D software and progressed towards the creation of digital reproductions of organic elements taken from nature. My work also explores ideas surrounding photogrammetric processes and their association with cultural/digital preservation. The digital aspect of my practice involves creating hyper-realistic scans and textures that are accompanied by sound pieces. Digital environments are built alongside these assets highlighting the thin border of physical and virtual worlds amongst mixed realities. Photogrammetric processes used in my work are relevant to its potential importance on digitally archiving content for future generations spanning across multiple disciplines including but not limited to education, visual art and academic research. New technologies and digital tools enable artists as well as viewers to personally reflect on social issues and to have an equal understanding of important environmental discussions. Current research is allocated to the development of algorithmic code resulting in generative designs I produce on paper as well as the develop of mixed reality content (AR/VR) for the collection of an Irish Cultural Institute.

Email andrewmcsweeney8@gmail.com

Membership: Backwater Artists Network