The Dancing Plague: WITHOUT COMPROMISE IV: An exhibition of work by Jack Tierney

Curated by Freeny Yianni

'Tierney is very much a part of the vibrant, significant influence of Bristol's art scene and has created a new body of work for this show.'  Freeny Yianni

This exhibition focuses on The Dancing Plague, which was a phenomenon that occurred in Strasbourg in July 1518. A lady started dancing in the street. A few days later, hundreds of people took to dancing for days without rest and, over the period of about one month, some of those affected collapsed or even died. There are many interesting theories regarding why it happened. The paintings sit between the figurative and the abstract, focusing on dance movement to tell the story of the dancing plague: the smaller paintings representing Mrs. Troffea (the first dancer), and as the scale of the canvases increase, so does the intensity of the dancing forms within, with the largest being a long painted scene of dancing mania.

'The subject matter and forms can seem familiar and recognisable at first glance, but upon further inspection everything soon descends into an unfamiliar world. ' Jack Tierney.

Jack Edward Tierney lives and works in Bristol

Tierney's art practice is driven by narrative and painting is a vehicle to his thought process. The imagery, an insight into his experiences and surroundings. Subjectivity and honesty is at the core and reflects his daily life. The work is expressive and revels in the luxury of painting. 

Tierney graduated from Loughborough University School of Art in 2005.He has exhibited at The National Open Art Winter Exhibition, Royal College of Art, London 2015, and awarded the Seaward Properties NOA15 Fine Art Award in 2012.