drip | jon shaw

On display from 9 Aug -  8 Nov 2011
Reception Sat 10 Sept at 8pm

Jon Shaw’s animation documents a keen interest in technical and critical experimentation. His work combines a variety of media through self-taught animation techniques. As a traditionally trained painter, drawer and sculptor, Jon does not classify himself as an animator or filmmaker in the conventional sense. He views his animated work as an extension of other branches of artistic production, preferring to categorize them as “animated drawings” rather than “films” or “videos”.

Jon’s animations often focus around the theme of technology and its role in a contemporary world. Drip, alternatively, is a more concise experiment. Containing neither a beginning nor an end, the work focuses on the interaction of different drawing styles. The work’s essence is contained within the reciprocal nature of the moment – it invites the viewer to stop, look, relax and enjoy the serene simplicity.

Artist Biography

Jon Shaw received his formal arts training from Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. His experimental and critical bodies of work resulted in several major awards from the Fine Arts department including the Crake Performance Award, presented to the top overall graduating Fine Arts student in 2008.

Under the patronage of a Crake Undergraduate Summer Research Award Jon taught himself various methods of animation. Large-scale charcoal drawings, paint, time-lapse video capture, paper cut outs and recorded sound combine to create a unique and eclectic series of experimental works. Fascinated by the possibilities when mixing traditional with contemporary materials and processes, Jon continues to experiment and embrace the evolution of his art making.

Jon has exhibited in a number of solo and group shows in New Brunswick, Ontario and British Columbia. He currently lives and works in Vancouver.

Jon was born and raised in St. Catharines.