Photo: © 2022 Agnieszka Czarnecka-Wiacek. All Rights Reserved.
Shawn Edwards
b. 1959, lives and works in New Mexico, U.S.
Shawn Edwards is an extraordinary artist and a retired bull rider. With his artworks, Shawn explores the complex themes of traumatic experiences with his abusive mother in childhood, a rodeo accident that almost cost him his life, death and birth, spiritual transformation, and self-transcendence. Through his graphite-on-illustration board technique and careful chiaroscuro, Shawn’s works investigate the difference between fate and destiny while reflecting on his own neurological fitness journey – for Shawn, drawing was no longer just an artistic expression but a way to regain neurological fitness after his accident. His expansive and intricate drawing style draws inspiration from Mexican naive art, as well as from mass culture waste found on the internet and he creates works of art in both large and medium formats alike. Born in Denver, Shawn graduated from Fort Lewis College before settling down to live off the grid and work in New Mexico, U.S. He continues to do art as a meaningful part of his life that allows him to express his essence freely.
In a remarkable testament to the intertwined nature of Shawn Edwards’ artistic and bull riding careers, his iconic jeans jacket now resides in the esteemed collection of the Levi Strauss Museum Archives. This unique artifact stands as a symbol of both his daring past and his creative pursuits, bridging the gap between the worlds of rodeo and fine art.
Further cementing his status as a cultural icon, Shawn was invited to participate in the captivating short documentary “Love What You Wear. Live With It Longer” directed by the renowned Duplass Brothers, Mark, and Jay for Levi’s. This collaboration highlights the enduring impact of Shawn’s life experiences on his art, while simultaneously celebrating the value of authenticity and the power of personal expression.
As a visionary artist and retired bull rider, Shawn Edwards continues to inspire and captivate audiences through his artwork and compelling personal narrative, leaving an indelible mark on the art world and beyond.
LS&Co. Historian Tracey Panek shows Shawn’s jacket, which will become part of the Levi’s jacket collection. Courtesy of Levi Strauss Museum.
Molecules of Men
Shawn Edwards: On Love, Discovering Harmony, and Cultivating Inner Security. October 2022.
Molecules of Men is an art project in the form of a subjective, independent blog in which artist Aga Czarnecka studies the elements of masculinity and its present condition in today’s world.
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