CATALYST ARTS - PRESS RELEASE

Born in 1972 in Omagh, N.Ireland, Maurice Doherty studied Fine Art at the University of Ulster, Belfast and at Glasgow School of Art. He currently lives and works in Glasgow.

Doherty uses a powerful minimalist aesthetic and a subtle simplicity to transform banality in life, into something poetic and indeterminate. His works involve a sincere search for meaningful artistic intervention.

For his exhibition at Catalyst Arts, Doherty will be presenting three video installations shown together for the first time.   Exhibiting the artist's characteristic concern for experiment, waiting, and time, 'Waiting to Fall' (2001) shows footage of the artist standing upright, in an empty studio space for as long as possible. After depriving himself of sleep, Doherty is donned in a crash helmet in preparation for what's going to happen.

'Loop' (2004) is a video installation that shows a female figure spinning a hula-hoop around her waist. The piece is presented with front and back shots of the scene, the viewer is invited to walk around the work, mirroring the on-screen action. As the title suggests, the film too is looped and could in theory, continue to spin until the projection equipment breaks.

'Life, Death And The Meaning Of The Universe' (2001/06) is a video work that uses footage of burning cigarettes in a blacked out room, to simulate the retinal effect of stars in a mini-universe. It's an issue of infinite concern, being reduced into a new and contained context, itself carrying connotations for public health.

Since 1997, Doherty has exhibited widely, in Britain, Ireland, Europe and the US. This year, Doherty has had solo exhibitions at Tramway, Glasgow 'Eternal Rotation' and at Kochhannstraße 14b, Berlin, 'Maurice Doherty - The Floating Series'. In 2005 Doherty exhibited in shows at AK28, Stockholm, Flaca Gallery, London and the Collective Gallery, Edinburgh. In 2004 exhibitions included the Three Walls Gallery, Chicago and Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Berlin.