Bernard Smyth

Bernard Smyth graduated from the National College of Art and Design in 1995. Bernard Smyth’s practice engages the use of performance, video and photography. His work has been seen in many of the important juried exhibitions both in Ireland and the UK and he has been the recipient of several awards from the Arts Council of Ireland. Recent exhibitions include EV+A 2002 and the Crawford Open 2001. This will be his first solo show and will comprise a body of new work.

Although based in performance Smyth’s works is formed by documented evidence of events having taken place rather than for live audiences. These video pieces often have a humorous or circus like appearance. Previous work such as Tap-Dancing Smoker and World Record 1999 show Smyth engaged in odd-ball if not bizarre activities with fanatical and sometimes hilarious earnestness. His photographic work is cooler and more rooted in a concern for form and aesthetics without compromising his sense of the out of the ordinary. This exhibition will combine both media.