Spencer Sweeney

In the solo exhibition of new paintings by the multimedia American artist Spencer Sweeney @dirtyroomba, through the artist's use of rich colors and bold brushstrokes, he conveys a powerful energy and emotion. These magnificent works, including oil portraits that depict seated figures with clearly defined torsos, and those that depict only the head and shoulders, are a testament to his artistry.

The artist believes that jazz inspired his love of improvisation, a passion he skillfully blended with elements of popular culture and art history in his nudes, portraits, and self-portraits. His work, while embodying the energy of Neo-Expressionism, consistently uses its signature themes, highlighting a mix of direct emotional appeals and a free approach to the creative process. The creations that make up the "Paint" series originated from his seated portrait sketches of Bougatsos, which later reminded him of an early sketch he had made of Matisse's work on paper. This perception of the similarity between the two prompted the artist to create portrait paintings.

In his current exhibition featuring head-and-shoulders paintings, Sweeney utilizes his signature "automatic" technique, blurring the lines between realistic depictions and abstract psychological exploration. By combining gestural paint application with structured graphic methods, he challenges traditional views on creative processes. Some pieces share compositions but vary in color palettes, with some resembling drawings and others displaying a more painterly quality.

Spencer Sweeney
Date: 19 Nov 2025 – 28 Feb 2026
Gallery: @gagosian 
Address: 7/F Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong
・・・
#SpencerSweeney