30 January – 21 February
Studio 12
Backwater Artists Group is delighted to present, The Weight of Nothing, an exhibition by Backwater Artists Network member, Andrew Mc Sweeney.
This exhibition delves into the transformative interplay between objects, materials, digital processes, and experimentation, while also reflecting on the idea of nothing in both material and concept. Featuring an array of works—video simulations, drawings, and sculptural pieces—it investigates how digital tools can breathe new life into the physical world, reshaping materials in ways that challenge our perceptions of form, texture, and context.
The video simulations explore the relationship between organic and synthetic materials, blending tactile qualities with their digital counterparts. Sculptural works, inspired by photo scanned objects, reimagine materials entirely, presenting new forms and textures that transcend the limitations of the physical world. Meanwhile, a series of hybrid drawings merge traditional mediums with digital processes, fostering a dialogue between the tactile and the virtual.
At its core, The Weight of Nothing reflects on the creative potential of digital manipulation—not simply as a technological feat, but as a means to fundamentally alter how we perceive and work with materials. The exhibition invites viewers to consider the possibilities of reinterpreting nothingness—a space where absence becomes a catalyst for transformation.
Artist Statement
My practice is multidisciplinary, blending digital media, drawing, and sculpture with a focus on 3D software to create digital reproductions inspired by nature. Techniques like photogrammetry and material experimentation explore the intersection of physical and virtual realms. I work with game engines and interactive tools to create immersive, dynamic experiences that invite viewers to engage with digital environments in real time. My work combines digital scans, organic and synthetic materials, audio, and interactive elements to create immersive experiences. Bridging technology and traditional art, I produce physical prints and drawings generated through digital processes, aiming to manipulate, reimagine, preserve, and reinterpret objects and environments.
Bio
McSweeney completed a BA in Fine Art at CIT Crawford College of Art & Design (2015) and an MA in Interdisciplinary Design Practice (2021) at the Limerick School of Art & Design. Recent projects include the XaRt commission (November 2023), developed in collaboration with the NExIS research team and the MTU Arts Office CREATE Le Chéile Fund, and an experimental video piece exhibited as part of 9.57 (SUNSET) during the Cork Midsummer Festival at the Triskel Arts Centre (June 2024). McSweeney also presented “Green World”, an interactive augmented reality application, at the Earth Rising: Eco Festival (September 2024) at the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
Website: www.xrlinelab.ie