Artist Residency: Spencer Sweeney

By Aubrey Mayer

In his regular feature, "Artist Residency," Aubrey Mayer takes a photo of one of his favorite artists and asks him/her a series of simple questions. Here is painter Spencer Sweeney.

Aubrey Mayer: Where are you from?
Spencer Sweeney: Philadelphia

AM: Where do you live?
SS: NY

AM: How did you become an artist?
SS: I'm not sure.

AM: What is the oddest job you've ever had?
SS: Handling Rudolph Valentino's death mask at the Mutter Museum.

AM: Who's your favorite non-living artist?
SS: Odilon Redon

AM: What book are you reading at the moment?
SS: Flowers of Evil, Baudelaire; Against the Grain, J.K. Huysmans; The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. XVIII

AM: When are you happiest with your work?
SS: When I like it.

AM: Favorite travel destination?
SS: Been enjoying staying at home.

AM: What do you find most sexy?
SS: Shelly Duvall

AM: What is your favorite piece of art that you own?
SS: A P.M.D. drawing. He's an amazing artist visionary who frequently sells his books and drawings around Max Fish.

AM: What is your favorite walk?
SS: Been enjoying walking from the West 4th St. Subway stop down Leroy St. to the gallery.

AM: When and where is your next show?
SS: Jack Hanley in San Francisco, Sept. '08

Past artists:

Brian DeGraw and Lizzi Bougatsos of Gang Gang Dance

Rita Ackermann

Richard Phillips

Victoria Sambunaris