RAPHAEL FENTON-SPAID

My work explores the visual and material manifestation of contemporary social relations. These relationships are both referential and self-referential, aiming to articulate the constructedness of the creative cultural process while directly referring to the complexities of public experience.

Materials and images are found and sourced, providing the basis for both, a poetic analysis of aesthetic, behavioral, psychological conventions and a creative exploration of potential structures and attitudes. Familiar scenes, objects, and materials are transformed to create a re-imagined and literally constructed image that challenges our expectations and our pre-conceived notions of personal space and commodified culture.

Painting is a haven for me to articulate a repressed crude sense of humor, and infantilized indulgences.

Education
2014 Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA: MFA Painting
2008 Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA: BS in Art Education
2006 Temple University, Rome Campus

Exhibitions
2014 "Good Neighbor", Berman Museum of Art, Collegeville, PA
"Point of Departure", Gallery 1708, Richmond, VA "MARS", New Boone, Philadelphia, PA
“Color”, BWAC Gallery, Brooklyn, NY. Curator: Lauren Hinkson
“RSVP”, LGTripp Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
"The Woodmere Annual: 73rd Juried Exhibition", Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA. Curator: Sarah McEneaney
"SEMICOLON small works show", New Boone, Philadelphia, PA
"Me Painting Show" (solo), Temple Contemporary, Philadelphia, PA
2013 "The Engagement Party", Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA. Curator: Dona Nelson
"The Sublime Revisited", Ann Street Gallery, New Burgh, NY
"Low Rumble", Gallery 102, Philadelphia, PA
"Soft Chairs and Screens" (solo), Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts, Millville, NJ
2012 "Slideluck Potshow III", The Icebox, Philadelphia, PA
"Slideluck Potshow II", University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
"Emergence", Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts, Millville, NJ
2011 "John Doe Puzzles" (solo), LGTripp Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
"Philly Photo Day", Philadelphia Photo Arts Center, Philadelphia, PA
"Venture", The Vault Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2009 "Dragnet", Sage Projects, Philadelphia, PA
"Open Art Award Exhibition", Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster, PA
"World of Imagination vol.2", APW Gallery, New York, NY
2007 "Nexus Selects", Nexus Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Awards
2014 Maurice Freed Memorial Prize, Woodmere Art Museum
Dedalus Foundation Grant Nominee, Tyler School of Art
2013 Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Tyler School of Art
Graduate Project Completion Grant, Temple University
2012 Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Tyler School of Art
Dean's Grant
2008 Gilroy Roberts Award (stipend and purchase)
2007 Dean's Award, Tyler School of Art

Teaching Experience
2014 Adjunct Assistant Professor, Penn State Brandywine BA Program, Intro to Drawing
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Penn State Brandywine Ba Program, Intro to Painting
2012 Picasso Grant Appointment at William Harrison Elementary School, Philadelphia PA.
2008-2010 William Harrison Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA.
2007-2008 Traveler’s Aid Homeless Shelter, Philadelphia, PA.

Bibliography
2014 Carroll, Michael. "Desire To Explore The Unknown - MARS At New Boon(e)." Geist-Magazine 17 Sept.
Barnabi, Rebecca. "Point Of Departure Begins At Gallery 1708." Examiner.com 7 Sept.
Findlay, Lauren. "Big Impacts and Subtle Statements." The Artblog 20 Aug.
Gibbs, Garron. "Portfolio Review: Raphael Fenton-Spaid." Concrete Cakes 17 Aug.
2013 Hummel, Jack. "Third Friday in Millville." South Jersey Times 5 Feb.
2012 Brewer, Don. “Third Friday.” DoNArTNeWs 29 Jan.
2011 Schwartz, Chip. "Visually Stunning and Socially Conscious Duo at LGTripp." KnightArts 10 Nov.
Newhall, Edith. "Galleries: A New Look at the Wireman, and Three Solo Shows." Rev. of John Doe Puzzles. The Philadelphia Inquirer 6 Nov. Print (Image).
Anzilotti, Ellie. "Thank God it's (First) Friday." 34th Street Magazine 3 Nov.
DeGruy, Gerri. "Fragmented Lives and Deaths." Explorations 28 Oct.
2008 "Student News." Gestures: Tyler School of Art Alumni
2007 Augustsurf. "NEXUS Selects 2007." Sillydelphia 14 Jun.
Rosof, Libby. "5 into 1 and Nexus Selects-juried senior shows." The Artblog 10 Jun.