Joseph Buckley Unveils ‘Despair Engine’: A Haunting Exploration of Mechanized Dejection
“Despair Engine” by Joseph Buckley at Island Gallery invites viewers into a world of mechanized dejection through uncanny, human-like sculptures adorned in mundane attire. Buckley dissects historical patterns of violence with an immersive environment reflecting existential foreboding.
By Vanessa Barros Andrade · February 5, 2024
Joseph Buckley’s solo exhibition, “Despair Engine,” showcased at Island Gallery, unveils a world of mechanized dejection that asks viewers to bear just witness. His uncanny, yet eerily human-like sculptures, adorned in Amazon Essential clothing, evoke a profound sense of disconnection. While their skin tone and facial features diverge from any recognizable living being, the mundane attire they wear paradoxically draws them closer to our reality.
Buckley’s exhibition, aptly titled “Despair Engine,” delves into the annals of history, dissecting its recurring patterns of violence through the lens of science fiction and speculative fiction. With an acute focus on storytelling, scale, and the witnessing of violence, Buckley invites viewers on a visceral journey through the labyrinth of what feels like aftermath.
A striking feature of “Despair Engine” is the trio of towering military-like figures stationed at the rear of the gallery. Their imposing height and stoic presence command attention, serving as a haunting reminder of the relentless struggle against despair. Through sculpture and a nuanced understanding of color and scale, Buckley creates an immersive environment that confronts viewers with the cast of experienced human suffering and human creation of suffering.
Each artwork in the exhibition serves as a reflection of the existential foreboding that permeates modern life. From the humanoid orc sculptures clad in familiar attire to the monumental figures standing in solemn solidarity, Buckley’s creations resonate with a sense of urgency. They compel viewers to confront the complexities of their own existence and the collective burden of human history.
In the hushed confines of Island Gallery, Joseph Buckley’s “Despair Engine” emerges as a testament to the power and pain of confrontation to provoke introspection and empathy. Through his manipulation of form, scale, and narrative, Buckley offers a meditation on the cyclical nature of violence and the enduring struggle for hope in the face of despair. As viewers bear witness to his arresting tableau, they are confronted with the stark reality of human frailty and the imperative of collective action in forging a more compassionate future. The show is on view until Feb 10th.
Joseph Buckley is an artist based in New York City, USA. His work combines elements of science fiction with contemporary class and race politics, addressing issues of inequality, bigotry, and ecological collapse through critical sculpture. Notable solo projects include “Letter From The Home Office” and “Traitor Muscle,” with selected group exhibitions at venues such as Fruitmarket, Edinburgh, and Anton Kern Gallery, New York. In 2021, he received a Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship, and in 2022, he joined the faculty at the Yale School of Art in the Sculpture Department.
Island Gallery in New York City is a contemporary art space dedicated to showcasing emerging and established artists across various mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and multimedia installations. It serves as a platform for artistic experimentation and dialogue, fostering connections between artists, collectors, and the broader community through exhibitions, events, and educational initiatives.