Shaymus

BA (Hons) Illustration

Shay Melia aka Shaymus

In my work I reflect on my own fascination and wonder with the world and universe. Asking the exciting question of our very own existence is one of the greatest enquiries we have, as is the drive to understand the mechanics nature. As one of my great intellectual heros, Richard Dawkins proclaims that science is the poetry of reality. As we constantly reach the edge of uncertainty through discovery, its my belief that art has a unique opportunity to illustrate the beauty of the scientific realm. My project visually explores topics i am personally interested in through a series of editorial works for contexts. A metaphorical approach allows me to deal with more complicated content and helps the reader to understand complex subject matter and make sense of meaning behind the text. I gather my inspiration primarily from nature and through looking at the work of other thought provoking artists such as Miho Hirano, Miles Johnston and Kelogsloops. My work sensitively explores and experiments with subjects such as science, pop culture, philosophy and history. These influence a coherent visual response as the text and image work together to create work that communicates and summarises the context to the participative audience. Working traditionally and editing digitally, my multi genre subject matter utilises soft uniform pastel tones and watercolour aesthetics, providing an exciting way of engaging with the imagery and, therefore, embellishing the information.


Yn fy ngwaith rwy’n adfyfyrio ar fy rhyfeddod â’r byd a’r bydysawd. Mae gofyn y cwestiwn cyffrous ynglŷn â’n bodolaeth ni ein hunain yn un o’r ymholiadau mwyaf sydd gennym, fel y mae’r awydd cryf i ddeall mecanwaith natur. Mae Richard Dawkins, sy’n un o’m harwyr deallusol mawr, yn datgan mai barddoniaeth realaeth yw gwyddoniaeth. Wrth i ni gyrraedd ffiniau ansicrwydd yn gyson drwy ein darganfyddiadau, rwy’n credu bod cyfle unigryw gan gelf i ddarlunio harddwch teyrnas gwyddoniaeth. Mae fy mhrosiect yn archwilio’n weledol bynciau rwyf â diddordeb ynddyn nhw drwy gyfres o weithiau golygyddol ar gyfer cyd-destunau. Bydd agwedd drosiadol yn fy ngalluogi i ddelio â chynnwys mwy cymhleth ac yn helpu’r darllenwr i ddeall pynciau cymhleth ac i wneud synnwyr o’r ystyr y tu ôl i’r testun. Byddaf yn cael fy ysbrydoliaeth yn bennaf oddi wrth natur a thrwy edrych ar waith artistiaid eraill sy’n fy ngwneud i feddwl megis Miho Hirano, Miles Johnston a Kelogsloops. Bydd fy ngwaith yn archwilio’n sensitif ac yn arbrofi gyda phynciau megis gwyddoniaeth, diwylliant poblogaidd, athroniaeth a hanes. Bydd y rhain yn dylanwadu ar ymateb gweledol rhesymegol wrth i’r testun a’r ddelwedd gydweithio i greu gwaith a fydd yn cyfathrebu ac yn crynhoi cyd-destun y gynulleidfa a fydd yn cymryd rhan. Bydd fy mhwnc aml-genre, lle y byddaf yn gweithio’n draddodiadol ac yn golygu’n ddigidol, yn defnyddio tonau?arlliwiau pastel unffurf meddal ac esthetig dyfrlliw, a fydd yn ffordd gyffrous i ymgysylltu â’r ddelweddaeth ac, felly, yn ychwanegu at y wybodaeth.

www.shaymus.squarespace.com

Other Exhibitors:

Imogen Miles

Imogen Miles

My current project looks into the story of St Dwynwen, a Welsh princess who became a saint- the welsh patron St of Lovers. She is celebrated throughout wales on the 25th of January. I was interested in this story after hearing about St Dwynwens day and doing some...

Katie Andrews

Katie Andrews

Reconnecting and rebuilding our relationship with the natural world is as vital as ever. My illustration practice focuses on creating educational and decorative patterned homeware and giftware products which will inspire people to become more in sync and appreciative...

Monika Jutrzenka Trzebiatowska

Monika Jutrzenka Trzebiatowska

My project is a response to a brief inspired by the Apila’s First Printing Award 2022. The aim was to create a fully illustrated children’s book based on a story of my choice – ‘The Frog Princess’ by A. J. Gliński. I wanted to combine the Polish culture with my...

Ellen Richards

Ellen Richards

As ân artist, I am particularly interested in creating work which explores subjects which are tailored to a certain demographic. The topics are relevant and meaningful to a specific individual, whether it be something they have experienced in their past or are...

Polly Allburn

Polly Allburn

My illustration work has culminated in an experimental assortment of objects that communicate the interconnected relationship between parent and child. Breaking down the power dynamic and allowing for a collaborative experience where parents can empathise with their...

Thalia Dougourou

Thalia Dougourou

Using both visual and lexical storytelling, I explore African history and culture while investigating its absence in the learning of young black students. Growing up in the UK, I became aware that the black history being taught in schools did not go beyond slavery,...