Sean Donovan / Recent Work
October 15 - November 22, 2020
M 2 3
24 Henry Street
New York, NY 10002
Sean Donovan’s recent work addresses the consequences of human global dominance. The work The Wasteland is based on chemical pods found in an abandoned industrial park outside of Lisbon, Portugal. The factory, and its surroundings are now a toxic wilderness of refuse poisoned by the production process. The colourful pods embossed with the word“PLENTY”symbolise the myopic philosophy of industrialists who placed profit over the welfare of their employees and the environment. The resin pods cast at one-third scale, are arranged and suspended overhead as a whimsical, rotating “daisy”.A group of three works, each with the title Control Command Delete, take their form from the carapace of turtles who are among the world's most threatened groups of species due to habitat loss, the illegal pet trade, and consumption for food and traditional medicine.The found shells symbolising luck, good health, and a long life, protrude from the gallery walls with a delicate gesture of neon.An industrial receptacle, severed and suspended by a steel armature, becomes a visual and acoustic experience when placed within the confines of an exhibition. With the work No Title, the artist brings us face to face with the tools of industrial waste.
Sean Donovan (American, b. 1987) lives, works in Brooklyn, NY. He holds a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore (2010), and an MFA from the School of Visual Arts, New York (2016). Most recently Donovan was artist-in-residence at PADA, Lisbon, Portugal, participating in the exhibitions O Que Não Temos Podemos Criar (What We Don’t Have, We Can Create), and Paulo (both 2020). Other exhibitions include Donovan, Markov, Mildenberg, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2018); Gateway, (solo) M 2 3, New York (2017); Public, Private, Secret (collaboration with David Reinfurt) at International Center of Photography (ICP), New York (2016-17); and Tuesday, the 17th (solo) at AC Institute, New York (2017). He is currently included in Beautiful Bastards, curated bySergio Muñoz Sarmiento, 1209 Garage in Austin, Texas.
