Shaun Daniel Allen
Yugambeh/Bundjalung artist Shaun Daniel Allen (Shal) began painting as a way to turn off unnecessary noise. Now, the maker is well-known for his vibrantly intuitive works.
Words: Holly Terry | Photography: Dougal Gorman
‘I learnt a lot about making art for yourself first and foremost, as an expression, as a way to communicate. Not making for money, or ego, or whatever else,’ says Shaun Daniel Allen. Photo: Dougal Gorman
‘I never thought the things I was making laying on the floor, would put me in touch with so many people who would be so open and honest with me.’ Photo: Dougal Gorman
‘I feel very lucky to be able to collect ochre from country I am connected to. When I make a trip home, I usually visit a few spots, ask country, say my thanks and take a little with me.’ Photo: Dougal Gorman
Growing up as an only child, Shaun Daniel Allen (Shal), would have rather been lost on his bike or spent time annoying his grandparents and uncles than be anywhere else.
While his family was very much into building cars and mechanics, it was during his teenage years that Shal began to play around with making, but describes this time spent being creative as somewhat stressful. ‘I played around on a guitar sometimes that my Poppa had, but I don’t remember anyone else ever playing it. No-one in my family was musical or into any art,’ he says.
Aligning himself with punk and the surrounding subcultures through the surf community as a teenager, Shal was continuously emersed in creative environments. Whether his circle was making music, printing shirts, or capturing photos, creativity became an integral and peripheral element within the artists life. ‘I learnt a lot about making art for yourself first and foremost, as an expression to communicate. Not making for money, or ego, or whatever else.’
Left exhausted as a result of spreading himself between tattooing in Brisbane and playing in three different bands while living on the Gold Coast, Shal turned to painting as a contrary to the turbulence of life. Initially starting utilising butchers’ paper as his surface, Shal began making loosely, ‘Anything that wasn’t related to tattooing or what other people wanted. Eventually these started having a certain feeling and I was immersed in the repetition, the freedom and the fact it was only for me, my mind.’
‘[Creating] turns off all the unnecessary noise. I can’t think of a time where I’ve ever been sitting on the floor painting, thinking about anything else but what is in front of me,’ says Shaun Daniel Allen. Photo: Dougal Gorman
The artist’s materials range from synthetic polymer to ochre, collected from country he’s connected to. Photo: Dougal Gorman
“I learnt a lot about making art for yourself first and foremost, as an expression, as a way to communicate. Not making for money, or ego, or whatever else.”
‘I’m really trying to think of places, or feelings when I make my initial marks. And then the rest of the time I’m just trying to listen to whatever else the painting is asking for.’ Photo: Dougal Gorman
The artist’s materials range from synthetic polymer to ochre, collected from country he’s connected to. Photo: Dougal Gorman
Shaun Daniel Allen's works sit softly – organically fluid and unobtrusive yet grounded in its stable energy. Photo: Dougal Gorman
A multitasker, the artist tends to have two to three paintings on the go at any given time. Pairing his time painting with late nights and bingeing entire albums, for Shal, the simple act of creating turns off all unnecessary noise. ‘I can’t think of a time where I’ve ever been sitting on the floor painting, thinking about anything else but what is in front of me.’
‘I’m not looking at any reference or any pre drawn plans but [painting] definitely feels considered. I’m really trying to think of places, or feelings when I make my initial marks. And then the rest of the time I’m just trying to listen to whatever else the painting is asking for.’
Drawing inspiration from a plethora of places including his communities, other mob he’s met and water, Shal’s works sit softly – organically fluid and unobtrusive yet grounded in its stable energy. His materials range from synthetic polymer to ochre, collected from country he is connected to. ‘[Ochre] is a much longer process but it feels much more rewarding. Painting with Jagun I am tied to is really something else – especially now I’m not living back home.’
If it is a tattoo you are after, you can see more of Shal’s work via Instagram and online. To come, the artist will be sharing his next body of work at his upcoming solo exhibition at China Heights Gallery, Sydney in November.