Material Poetics — SHAUN WESTON

In person you’re tempted to reach out and touch the painted surfaces. You examine the ink drips up close.

Whilst the physical exhibition (May 2024) gave a first-hand appreciation of the material, this online gallery indulges the poetics (including some haiku for good measure).

Material Poetics 1, Acrylic on vintage chenille bedspread, 76.5 x 61.5 cm

Threadbare in places, this vintage chenille bedspread (c.1950s) has been stretched and painted, preserving decades of wear. What once projected wholesomeness, has been resurfaced. What was soft is now hard, its text inviting us to contemplate who finds warmth in the past and who feels left out in the cold?

Roses From the Heart, Acrylic and oil on upholstery fabric, 76.5 x 61.5 cm

Eat Your Greens, Acrylic on rayon/viscose blanket (c.1970s), 76.5 x 61.5 cm

Introducing Andy Green. He’s a charismatic and generous chap. He has a wicked sense of humour, although his punchlines can leave you wanting more. Fortunately, he doesn’t mind being the butt of the joke.

Lilies in Lava Vase, Acrylic on upholstery fabric, 76.5 x 61.5 cm

The Promise, Synthetic polymer & newspaper on canvas, 76 x 61 cm

An 80s kid, I may be nostalgic for puffy taffeta sleeves and bow tie and cummerbund sets, but never the AIDs Grim Reaper Ads that introduced me to a new word - condom.

Humble Bunch, Synthetic polymer & newspaper on canvas, 76.5 x 61.5 cm

This painting is the humorous end to a process where I drew a bunch of flowers over the course of several days. I removed random single flower stems as they wilted and died at different rates, finishing with a humble bunch where the actual flowers no longer remain.

Swanning Around, Acrylic on upholstery fabric 76.5 x 61.5 cm

A sense of humour is a terrible thing to waste. This work is a confluence of many things, including a literal swan around the canvas and a metaphorical dicking around. Not knowing the direction to take the painting, a chance swan gif on Instagram sparked both conversations about the famous Aotearoa Crown Lynn ceramic swans (on which this swan image is based) and a viral image of a swan hugging the man who rescued it.

Paper Gerbera, Acrylic and newspaper on canvas, 76 x 61 cm

Bill, Ink, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 42 x 29.7 cm

What do we know about Bill? He’s an avid birdwatcher who likes masquerade parties and long baths. Bill’s also been described as a sticky beak, as he’s inclined to stick his nose in other people’s business.

Yellow Vase, Ink, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 42 x 29.7 cm

Striking silhouette

across multiple drawings

1950s vase

Ed, Ink, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 42 x 29.7 cm

Meet Ed, an accomplished kickboxer. Despite his sporting success, Ed is painfully shy and often hides behind a mask. He struggles with meaningful relationships, which isn’t helped by the fact that people often see him as an object rather than a person.

Toward the Sun 1, Ink, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 42 x 29.7 cm

I drew gerberas

but everyone kept saying

‘I love sunflowers’

Red, Ink and watercolour on paper, 42 x 29.7 cm

Introducing Junior, known to his friends as Red. A laid-back sporting type, his favourite game is catch. Nothing is a struggle for Red - he's never faced a problem that can't be swept under the rug.

Lilies in Lava Vase Study, Ink, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 42 x 29.7 cm

Doug, Ink, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 42 x 29.7 cm

What do we know about Doug? He’s into acid house, amongst other things. Doug is a fictional character (so are his friends).

Toward the Sun 2, Ink, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 42 x 29.7 cm

Sunflowers you say

so the title is open

most flowers love sun

Spike, Ink, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 42 x 29.7 cm

Meet Spike. Despite his youth, he’s a well-seasoned young bull who enjoys plum sauce and wordplay. Here’s one of his haiku:

You gave me a ring

so I handle your bullshit

please don’t steer me wrong

Peruvian Lilies, Ink, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 42 x 29.7 cm