We celebrate 25 years of McColl Center by celebrating the artists who have been in residence since we opened our studio doors in 1999. McColl Center's artist residency program has provided space, resources, and community to nearly 500 contemporary artists from around the world and around the block. Today, we feature Shaun Cassidy, a three-time resident in the years 2001, 2002, and 2006.
Shaun Cassidy is obsessed with movement, a curious passion for a sculptural artist whose medium is mostly stationary.
His artistic journey embodies exploration and transformation, reflecting both personal evolution and the collaborative spirit fostered by his time at McColl Center.
Known for his evocative sculptures and layered drawings, and recently, a dynamic series of collages, Cassidy invites viewers into a dialogue about color, form, and the beauty of the natural world.
Born in Surrey, England, Cassidy developed an early fascination with structure and materials. He honed his skills at the Norwich School of Art and the University of Alberta in Canada, laying the foundation for his unique approach to sculpture. “I always struggled in art school with just drawing with charcoal or pencil on paper because it wasn't physical enough,” he notes. This realization set him on a path towards bridging his 2D projects with newer, multi-dimensional work, experimental practices Cassidy also credits McColl Center and other residencies with helping him foster.
As a three-time McColl Center resident, Cassidy reflects on the serendipitous encounter with the program that led to the artist’s first “unofficial residency.” Attending an opening event, he was captivated by the sculpture studio's potential, which was mostly unused, and reached out to Peter Richards, the creative lead at the time, requesting access to the space. This initiative led to an informal occupation that evolved into an 18-month affiliate artist residency, profoundly impacting his creative trajectory. “There was really not much activity going on in the sculpture studio, so I sent an email to Peter...and he said, ‘Well, yes, do that,’” Cassidy recalls.
During his time working in the studio, Cassidy produced over 25 large-scale drawings that ultimately led to a solo exhibition. “I spent a lot of time there working on those layered drawings. It was really the high point of that residency,” he recalls.
“I’m concerned with the relationship between color, surface, and form to evoke feelings and a contemplative state,” the artist explains. Cassidy’s Inner Light Series, produced between 2008-2017 involved a process of layering paint over a period of eight years before sanding them down to reveal the final rendering. “By putting down layers and layers of collage and then sanding through with an electric sander, you don’t really know what you’re going to get right until the end.”
“Residencies have been so meaningful to me and my development,” Cassidy shares. “The amount of work you can get done is phenomenal because you don’t have the distractions of everyday life.” He appreciates the collaborative energy generated by being surrounded by other artists, likening it to “making soup,” where diverse influences create something new and exciting. Through this ongoing inquiry, Cassidy not only deepens his understanding of materiality but also invites viewers to engage with the dynamic interplay between form and movement in his work.
