John Wood

John Wood is a Reader in Fine Art at the Bath School of Art, Film and Media (Bath Spa University). Collaborating with Paul Harrison since the 1990s, their practice spans video art, sculpture, and installations that explore existential themes through absurdist humor and minimalist aesthetics.

Academic Qualifications:

• BA(Hons) from Bath College of Higher Education

Their work examines the intersection of physicality and environment, often using their own bodies or mundane objects to create scenarios that blend tragicomedy with artistic process. The duo's installations, like Semi-automatic Painting Machine, highlight the unpredictability of creation while critiquing functional design.

Exhibitions at institutions such as MOMA, Tate, and Centre Pompidou demonstrate their international impact. Their practice consistently engages with minimalist philosophy, experimental film, and conceptual humor.

Recent Trends (2023-2025):

• Expanded focus on public installations (e.g., 21 Signs for a City)
• Continued exploration of mechanical art (Semi-automatic Painting Machine)
• Deeper investigation of spatial absurdity (Square Buildings)
• Emphasis on ephemeral materials (Paint Trays & Wall)
• Collaborative video publications (A Film About a City)
• Conceptual text-based works (Words Made of Atoms)

Notable Collaborations:

• Co-edited a monograph with Ellen Mara De Wachter (2017)
• Contributions to Phaidon's Co-art: Artists on Creative Collaboration (2017)

Global Presence: Works in permanent collections of MoMA, Tate Modern, Centre Pompidou, and Kadist Foundation. Exhibitions span Europe, Asia, Americas, and Australia.