NYAB Event - Shaun Ellison “Islanders”

Shaun Ellison “Islanders”

Anna Zorina

This event has ended.

Anna Zorina Gallery presents the solo exhibition, Islanders , featuring the paintings and drawings of Shaun Ellison. The works within the exhibition were inspired by a trip to the Caribbean island of Tobago. The intent of travelling was to get lost physically and spiritually in a new , more primal location . By withdrawing from routine and immersing himself in the alien destination, the artist was able to explore the psychological depth of the foreign landscape and to discover a fresh spiritual essence .

The new surroundings provoke for Ellison an exaltation of the senses. This manifests in a unique artistic vocabulary that transcends into a realm of seemingly musical expression. His paintings feature powerful harmonies of bold color that instill the works with a distinctive optical vibration. This exploration of vivid tonal relationships intends to capture the feeling and energy particular to the Caribbean . The locals welcomed Ellison into their daily rhythm and thus you encounter their routine consisting of activities such as sailing , fishing and preparing of meals. Shaun observed that the islanders were notably in touch with nature and acted on an instinctual level that resulted in a profound connection with their environment. Ellison was inspired by this immersive quality . “Painting for me is a primitive act so what’s better than to go and get myself closer to nature, towards something that is more org anic than living in a big city.” By disconnecting himself from his typical setting, Ellison was more dependent on an intuitive approach to capturing the island landscape views . This organic representation of the scenery is translated through his specific e motion and subjectivity resulting in a reality instilled with an energetic sensory character.

As a visitor , Shaun Ellison was never able to achieve a feeling of being completely engaged in the setting . The artist imbues into the works his feeling of being an outsider by depicting his scenes with candid and loose generalizing strokes of tones often layered to create a distorted perception . However, a s said by John Donne, “No man is an island ” and although Shaun sought disconnection and isolation from the influential force of artistic culture notable in his current home of New York City, in an unfamiliar territory he ultimately found a universal creative spirit and drive that was innately recognizable .

Media

• Painting
• Drawing

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