(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)May 18, 2006

(Mahwah) – An untitled 45″ x 30″ digital inkjet print, created by artist Matthew Swarts in 2005-2006, is featured in the 2006 DeCordova Annual Exhibition at the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park in Massachusetts. Swarts is an assistant professor of photography/digital media at Ramapo College of New Jersey.  The exhibition runs through August 20, 2006.

The annual exhibition, a round-up of regional talent in the visual arts, surveys the best new art in six New England States.  The show focuses on the quality and diversity of contemporary art created in New England, rather than emphasizing any over-arching themes based on media, content or subject.  Swarts, of Somerville, MA, is one of twelve artists invited to exhibit work.

Swarts has recently begun using the Internet as a photographic apparatus.  Combining photographs of human bodies with informational graphics pulled from the Web, he overlays the figurative image with a dense pattern of found graphics. The result is a two-layered image that explores perception and digital information by invoking two ways of seeing.

I spend an inordinate amount of time collecting strange images from the Web,” he says.  Search engines have become like books to me.  I cruise through literally thousands of pictures to download a few I find interesting.”

The works on display at DeCordova are about memory, desire and perception.  With his work Swarts hopes to create a layered seduction, drawing the viewer into the image far enough to scrutinize the very surface of the print.

The artist will present a gallery talk at the museum on Saturday, July 15 at 3 p.m.  The DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Garden is located in Lincoln, MA, 781.259.8355.

Swarts exhibited his work in an exhibit at Ramapo College called Two New in the fall of 2005.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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