Brett Shuman

My primary influences are Surrealism with the Dada movement holding particular prominence.(Du Champ is a hero).I love the idea of free association between images, objects, shapes and words while at the same time conveying a particular thought or mood. I admire skilful and well crafted painting (Manet is a favourite), and I enjoy creating paintings that convey an idea but also work in terms of traditional picture-making. I am attracted to iconic images and clichéd catch phrases and try to juxtapose them as counterpoise in my paintings so as to inject a certain irony into the work. I also like introducing elements of chance by dribbling, splashing or staining the oil painting with industrial materials. I allow the chance element to become the finishing touch to the work.

Brett has participated in a variety of exhibitions, both group and solo shows. His last solo exhibition was titled Kingsize AVA gallery, Cape Town (2000). Brett is also an accomplished animator specializing in stop motion, 3D animation. He has been responsible for numerous commercials and company promotions during his career as well as being intrinsically involved in the creation of music videos for Fleetwood Mac, Led Zepplin and Queen. 

Information courtesy of the artist.