recent exhibitions
2024 - Shoebox, Talents 2024, PhotoMuseum Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
2024 - Rotlicht Photo Festival, Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna, Austria
2024 - Contemp. Art of Northern Ireland, Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Ireland
2024 - Athens Photo Festival, Benaki Museum, Athens, Greece
2024 - Annual Exhibition, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, Ireland
2024 - The ladder is always there, Draíocht Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2023 - Open Doors Photo Prize, Open Doors Gallery, London, UK
2023 - Contemp. Art of Northern Ireland, Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, Ireland
2023 - Royal Ulster Academy, Ulster Museum, Belfast, Ireland
2023 - The Chosen People, Griffith College, Dublin, Ireland
2023 - Annual Exhibition, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, Ireland
2023 - Prague International Art Biennial, Prague, Czech Republic
2023 - Made In China, Rua Red, Dublin, Ireland
2023 - Rotterdam Photo Festival, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
2022 - RUA Annual, Ulster Museum, Belfast, Ireland
2022 - Annual Exhibition, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, Ireland
2022 - Open Art, Royal Academy of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
2021 - Annual Exhibition, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, Ireland
2021 - Annual Exhibition, Royal Ulster Academy, Belfast, Ireland
2021 – Hindsight 2020, Rua Red, Dublin, Ireland
2020 – Roar, Slow Lane Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2020 - Between You & Me, CIACLA, Los Angeles, USA
2020 - HALFTONE, The Library Project, Dublin, Ireland
2020 - Winter Show, Inspire Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2020 - Photo-works, Griffith College, Dublin, Ireland
2020 - Unison, MART Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2020 - Winter Open, Rua Red, Dublin, Ireland
2019 - Intern Exhibition, Inspire Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2019 - NCAD CEAD Exhibition, Dublin, Ireland
2019 - Onwards Exhibition, MART Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2019 - Border, MA Students Book Project, NCAD, Dublin, Ireland
about
Spencer's work is about photography itself - why we believe the camera never lies and the vernacular expectations within that. All his images are constructed truths, looking at the boundaries of photographic reality. Although a lot of the work is constructed, and arguably fake, it exists in the real world and in real time - with real people and things, in real places, doing real and often ordinary things, but maybe in places we might not expect. This contradiction of what's real and not real, creates an uncertainty that should disconcert the viewer. The aim is to play with the assumptions of fact, fiction and fake, giving him the opportunity to weave in issues such as identity, race, nationality, and control.
Born and now back living in Dublin, Ireland, he has lived in the UK, Italy, the US, and Middle East. Spencer had a career as a publisher before returning to his art practice. He has a Fine Art degree and post-grad qualification from NCAD in Dublin.
His work is held in public and private collections in Ireland, the UK and Europe.
recent awards
2024 - Agility Award - Arts Council, Ireland
2024 - Shortlisted APhF Dummy Book Award - Witty Books, Greece
2023 - Early Career Artist Award Winner - PhotoMuseum Ireland
2023 - Judge’s Pick - Prof. Steve MacLeod, Open Doors Gallery, UK
2023 - Image Award - Rotterdam Photo Festival, The Netherlands
2023 - Graduate Selection - Sebah Chaudry, Source Magazine
2023 - RADAR Award Shortlist - PhotoIreland