Shannon Shay Rose Yon

The path humans take in life is one that they create.  Hurdles in life appear daily, but the routine of finding new inspiration to adjust, make changes, are expressed through our actions both literally and emotionally.  The physical use of the body and mind is a central element to my work.  My artwork reflects my experiences as an athlete in competition and unfolds the beautiful mysteries of the human body.

 

The act of creating the large spray paint stencil titled Flesh Tones is one that reflects my innate ability to be in tune with the body physically.  Flesh Tones is a close up view of the lower half of a high jumper in motion of the jump.  To recreate this feeling and look of movement, I use my athletic background and ability in to create work that is in literal motion. Using my entire body to create large controlled movements and balance physically, transforms into my works gestural aesthetic.

 

The large work titled End Over End is an example of continuously trying to maintain the sweet spot of control of your body.  The large Japanese pattern style of the body in the bridge position is flipped over, down, across, and in a circular rotation creating the wall paper-like pattern. Each section was transferred with carbon paper, and hand drawn to mimic the idea that each jump is slightly different just as real life.  This captures the movement of muscle and use of science, math, and dance to create the jump.  Athletes are seen as heroic symbols of strength, power, and grace of the body and mind.

Performance is another way I express the control we can have over our bodies.  A body that twists, flips, breaks, feels physically and feels emotionally as we push it to the limit.  During the openings, I invite everyone to watch as my body flexes in familiar motions and take you by surprise by freezing in pivotal moments of meeting my own limits.  Capturing the essence of heroic mastery of the body as well as defeat and the flaws, is exactly what my work encompasses through many mediums.

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