Paul Swenbeck's work combines sculpture, painting, and photography to create installations that filter craft and occult and spiritual themes through his own idiosyncratic perspective. Swenbeck grew up in Salem, Massachusetts a town synonymous with the witch trial hysteria of Colonial America. His works are found in the West Collection, Oaks, PA, and The New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York. Recent exhibitions include Dirt on Delight: Impulses that Form Clay at The Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, and The Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, and during Locally Localized Gravity at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, he and his wife, Joy Feasley, built a solar oven in a greenhouse for use in a celebration of the pagan holiday Imbolc. Swenbeck graduated with a degree in ceramics from Massachusetts College of Art in 1991.

Solo Shows

2010

• Shaker Legend-TripFleisher/Ollman Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2009

• Mocha Dick in the Invisible WorldFleisher/Ollman Gallery Philadelphia, PA

2004

• Specter of the BrockenMorris Gallery, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA

2002

• BuzzkillVox Populi, Philadelphia, PA

Group Shows

2010

• Man, Myth, and MagicBambi Projects, Philadelphia, PA

2009

• Heaven on EarthLittle Berlin, Philadelphia, PA
• Art ChicagoFleisher/Ollman Gallery, New York, NY
• Dirt on Delight: Impulses That Form ClayThe Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA
• The Armory ShowFleisher/Ollman Gallery, New York, NY

2008

• One Gray GrassVox Populi, Philadelphia, PA

2007

• Locally Localized GravityInstitute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA

2006

• Vernacular SpectacularMeyerson Galleries, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

2005

• a long green hourInstitute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA
• Very Early PicturesLuckman Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
• summer friends with new rosesTemple Gallery, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA
• ScarabLump Projects, Raleigh, NC

2004

• The Big NothingInstitute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA
• Your Heart is No Match for My LoveThe Soap Factory, Minneapolis, MN

2003

• Off the WagonSpace 1026, Philadelphia, PA
• Glossing1R Gallery, Chicago, IL
• Bad TouchKeith Talent Gallery, London, UK
• The Other TraditionRosenwald-Wolf Gallery, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
• In a Silent WayMainline Art Center, Philadelphia, PA
• Griezzel GreedigutLump Projects, Raleigh, NC

2002

• DreamscapesAbington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
• Get OutMoore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA
• OstaraThe Project Room, Philadelphia, PA