Categories: Cori Wilbur, THE BUZZ

THE BUZZ: Tim Shaw Examines Human Behavior in His Newest Exhibition

Defending Integrity from the Powers that Be: Tim Shaw Examines Human Behavior in His Newest Exhibition

Written by Cori Wilbur

October 23, 2018

As you turn the corner to enter Tim Shaw’s new exhibit, Beyond Reason, the room’s lighting becomes dim. A reminder that Democracy does indeed die in darkness. A realization that power is hard to gain and very very easy to lose.

For almost his entire life, Shaw, who was born and raised in Northern Ireland, has been accruing inspiration for his largest exhibit to date. His first exhibit in the United States ever. And it happens to be right here at the San Diego Museum of Art.

Tim Shaw is well-known for his storytelling-focused work. This six-piece, immersive exhibit conveys a post-apocalyptic world, inspired by both current and historical events that seem too horrific and vile to possibly be true. Here, the mask of civility has been removed and people are left to follow their uninhibited instincts. Morality all but ceases to exist.

With the installation Mother, the Air is Blue, the Air is Dangerous, Shaw draws on an early childhood memory; visitors are transported into the aftermath of the Bloody Friday bombings in Belfast in 1972. Dinner trays are suspended above, tables and chairs are strewn everywhere and silhouettes of civilians frantically run about in the background. You long to be with them, yet, where you are, time is frozen.

Atrocious occurrences are nothing new; bad things continue to happen all around us. They are beyond the spectrum of reason, normality and decorum. However, we’ve almost adapted our narratives to include these tragedies as a typical part life.

With Soul Snatcher Possession, visitors are placed among eight life-size figures. These indistinguishable characters have been distorted by corruption and condemned to eternal darkness. Tip-toeing around the soulless forms, in order to analyze the scene, you have no choice but to walk among them. Maintaining honor and keeping your soul takes a lot of work.

Unfortunately, the reality we are living in is not too far removed from this world that Shaw paints. Democracy, as we know it, is rapidly declining. Civilians’ lives are halted by terrorist attacks, free speech is squelched, lawmakers are bought off by corruption, vigilante justice replaces real authority and artificial intelligence has dumbed people down–all topics addressed in each of the pieces.

With Shaw’s work here you can see that more often than not, reason is a facade. This area beyond reason has become our new normal.

This compelling exhibit is open now until February 24. Please visit https://www.sdmart.org/exhibition/tim-shaw-beyond-reason/ to learn more about the art and artist.


IMAGE: Alternative Authority (pictured) depicts a female victim of vigilante justice in 1970s Ireland.

Vanguard Culture

Vanguard Culture is an online media entity designed for culturally savvy, socially conscious individuals. We provide original interviews and reviews of the people, places, and events that make up San Diego’s thriving arts and culture community, as well as curated snapshots of the week’s best, most inspiring and unique cultural and culinary events. We believe in making a difference in the world, supporting San Diego’s vibrant visual and performing arts community and bringing awareness to important social and community causes.