Yellow Paintbrushes

Paul Petro Contemporary Art is pleased to present an exhibition of new paintings by Prince Edward County-based artist Morley Shayuk.

Yellow Paintbrushes signals the introduction of a new series of paintings informed by Shayuk's flower growing operation on his farm in Picton, Ontario. By interrupting natural rhythms within the requirements of a growing operation, interesting relationships between plants can be observed. Ornamental and native plants become entangled as adaptive behaviours take over and evolve. Inside the studio, the complexities of the farm are mimicked and simplified using shapes and texture to evaluate and deepen an exchange with nature. Layered painted surfaces built up and edited over time form heavy brush marks, mirroring the growing season outside the studio and purposefully engaging with the spirit of survival.

Yellow Paintbrushes refers to meadow hawkweed, a plant that reminds growers that stewardship involves observation, obstacles, and compromise to find balance. Within the studio, these things qualify the subject and allow the outcome to slowly reveal itself.


Morley Shayuk (b.1976, Toronto) lives and works in Picton, Ontario. He has exhibited with Paul Petro Contemporary Art since 2011.