Echoed Formalism ism ism

24 October - 31 October 2015

Utopian Slumps will re-form to host a one-off, temporary exhibition, Echoed Formalism ism ism, from Caleb Shea at Long Division Gallery, Schoolhouse Studios.

Shea’s new series of neo-formalist sculptures merge geometric abstraction with organic form. A low-lying sculpture takes the shape of a claw, while a tall two-legged work images a contorted human body with arms outstretched. Individual pieces made from steel and concrete will combine to create an experiential maze of spatial configurations. Reminiscent of modernist sculptural forms like David Smith, but inflected with a decidedly post-internet aesthetic closer to the digital gradients of Cory Arcangel, Shea’s works are a distorted echo of an earlier mode of formalism.

Shea studied toward a Bachelor of Visual Arts, University of Newcastle, 1995-7 and graduated from a Bachelor of Fine Art (Sculpture), RMIT, 2006, a Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours), RMIT, 2009 and a Master of Visual Arts, Victorian College of the Arts, 2011. Selected exhibitions include For Goodness SAKE, Utopian Slumps, Melbourne, 2014; Thomas Jeppe and Caleb Shea, Sydney Contemporary, Carriageworks, Sydney, 2013; The Peasants Are Revolting, Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne, 2012-13; XTYO, Utopian Slumps, Melbourne, 2012; X + Drawing, with Julia Francis, Seventh Gallery, Melbourne, 2012; Link VI, with Marco Cher-Gibard, RMIT School of Art Gallery, 2012; School of Art Masters Exhibition, Victorian College of the Arts, 2011; Exercise in Sophistication, with Thomas Jeppe, Utopian Slumps, Melbourne, 2011; Insert Coin Here, Craft Victoria, 2010; Scale of mark, RMIT First Site Gallery, Melbourne, 2009; Model for Abundant, Australian Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale, 2008; Two-Fold Exhibition, George Paton Gallery, The University of Melbourne, 2007; and The Fourth Baldessin Foundation Travelling Fellowship Exhibition, Faculty Gallery, Monash University, 2004. Shea was recipient of The Fourth Baldessin Foundation Travelling Fellowship in 2004 and the National Gallery of Victoria Women’s Association Masters Award in 2011. His work is held in the Artbank, Joyce Nissan, Melton City Council and National Gallery of Victoria collections as well as various private collections in Australia.