Artist Statement
My unusual oeuvre stems primarily from his interest in both Far Eastern Art, particularly from Japan, and his influence from popular culture sources. I dislike the created distinction between ‘high’ and ‘low’ in art and as such see no difficulty in drawing from such fields as film, anime, manga, comics etc. alongside historical and contemporary art. I thus reference such movements as Superflat and Lowbrow. My work seeks to create alternate worlds in which to satirize our own, allowing us to look at our foibles exaggerated and thus challenge them by laughing at ourselves. Through this framework I build narratives which address such diverse issues as body image, our view of the ‘other’ in society, urban social isolation, and mans conflicted relationship with nature, among other things. By placing them in an alternative setting to this world, I choose to distance the questioning of these issues from my own personal opinions, leaving it open to the viewer to draw their own conclusions. The piece for the 8>20 exhibition, ‘The Holy Novelty’, for example, used religious symbolism alongside a created futurescape to highlight society’s newfound adoration of science, celebrity and material wealth as a replacement for religious belief.
Shows and Exhibitions
June 2009 – Graduate Show, D.I.T, Portland Row, Dublin
February 2009 – It’s Just the Nature of Things, D.I.T., Portland Row, Dublin
July 2008 – Interim Dialogues, Broadstone Gallery, curated by Mark Garry
March 2008 – D.I.T. Art and Design Week, Dublin Institute of Technology – Faculty of Applied Arts
2008-participated in the Design Week exhibition in DIT, and a BabyBeef exhibition held in Karma.
January 2008 – 8>20 Exhibition, Backloft Gallery, curated by Linda Quinlan and Mark Garry.
Qualifications
BA Fine Art Second Class Honours Upper Division from Dublin Institute of Technology.
Employment Record
-Conducted a seminar in woodblock printing with a mature student class in Graphic Design, Colaiste Dulaigh, Coolock (2009)
-Currently employed as a designer for a card-craft company based in Carrigfergus, Co. Antrim (2009)
-Regular contributions to BabyBeef fanzine, as well as a self-published comic zine for the Summer Edition zinefair (July 2009)
-Won a RiseCreatives webspace for artwork exhibited during the D.I.T. Art and Design Week (2008)
-Assisted in a pdf publication put together by D.I.T. students for publicizing their artworks.
-Assisted annual 2-day Arts event at Sisters of Mercy Convent National School, Roscommon (2006 – 2008). This involved providing drawing classes for children ranging from Junior infants to 6th Class.
-Participated in annual Arts Day for Glasnevin Educate Together Primary School, Dublin (2007).
-Various pieces of work have been commissioned by a number of individuals and bodies including: local artists in and around Roscommon, Jerseys for Africa Poster Appeal, Brothers of Charity, numerous private commissions aside from the above.
Payment Details
If you would like to purchase any of the works you have seen on this webspace, or would like to commission a piece, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone, email or post and I would be happy to arrange it with you.
Contact Details
3 Greencastle Drive, Coolock, Dublin 17
St Helena's, Tremane, Roscommon
086 211 5724
markdoherty1ster@gmail.com
