Thomas Keenan graduated from Northumbria University’s MFA programme at BALTIC 39 – 2019 and has featured in numerous group shows in the North East area whilst living and working in Newcastle. Keenan’s work initially stems from the complexities of identity politics using materials such as textiles and sound based works to amplify purposefully ludicrous performances.
Keenan’s practice rifts on the formality of everyday objects and imitates their forms using non-structurally sound materials. These light-hearted gestures of questioning the functionality and purpose of objects form a concoction of languages and are often used as props to aid Keenan’s performances.
The performances primarily focus on the nature of identity, and are likewise inspired by social critique of objects stereotypically deemed as masculine or feminine – navigating through audiences as an absurd terpsichorean in retaliation to the constraints of conservative views regarding sexual fluidity.
As of late, Keenan has been experimenting with sound based works being recently inspired by the Industrial music genre – recording the sound of domestic devices/home appliances as a reflection of the repetitiveness of household boredom during the pandemic.
