Shaun Duke's portraits capture the essence of every unique collaboration with his subjects. Each encounter is an exchange of ideas, revealing stories of comfort and discomfort, confidence and shyness. With a keen eye and deliberate mark-making, Shaun skillfully portrays the psychological depth of his sitters, documenting intimate moments that celebrate their individuality above all else.
The impermanence of these sittings holds significant meaning for Shaun. Honesty is paramount, as he rarely erases marks and refrains from altering his works on paper after a session concludes. By preserving these instances in time between individuals, he believes we can uncover a genuine reflection of contemporary culture.
"My work is a documentation of time shared with someone, the moments that interested me about that person, and the way in which they inspired me to draw on that particular day."
