Alan Shields: Where art life met island life
Our father, Alan Shields, in many ways was larger than life. And yet was one of the most down to earth people you'd ever meet. A true Renaissance man, he enjoyed many facets of life and became a master of things he was passionate about; fishing, hunting, gardening, foraging for mushrooms and, of course, making art.
A farm boy from Kansas, Alan never forgot his Midwest roots. He imbued that history in his art as well as in the way he lived off the land here on the Island. Ultimately living half his life on Shelter Island, Alan spent more years making art in this place than anywhere else. He traveled the world collaborating with art patrons, master print-makers and paper-mills, and showing in renowned galleries and museums. Between his travels he was here--first in Eel Town and then in Hay Beach--where he weaved himself into this community as a husband, father, fisherman, hunter, ferry captain, neighbor and friend.
His art life blended seamlessly with his Island life and each influenced the other. Local welders would fashion metal armatures for his artwork and his boat Stinkpot V. He used mono-filament to hang art from the ceiling and to land big-eye tuna off Montauk. Colorful beads adorned his neck, whether he was at Church, at an art opening, or working on North Ferry.
It's safe to say that there was no one like our father. And even though he left this earth far too soon, we are grateful he lives on in his art and the people who knew him. We are also very grateful to Bill Pedersen and the Shelter Island Historical Society for the honor of showing his work in this beautiful new space. Our father loved Shelter Island, loved making art, and we are proud that he is part of American art history and of this special place.
~Victoria Shields
~Jason Shields
A farm boy from Kansas, Alan never forgot his Midwest roots. He imbued that history in his art as well as in the way he lived off the land here on the Island. Ultimately living half his life on Shelter Island, Alan spent more years making art in this place than anywhere else. He traveled the world collaborating with art patrons, master print-makers and paper-mills, and showing in renowned galleries and museums. Between his travels he was here--first in Eel Town and then in Hay Beach--where he weaved himself into this community as a husband, father, fisherman, hunter, ferry captain, neighbor and friend.
His art life blended seamlessly with his Island life and each influenced the other. Local welders would fashion metal armatures for his artwork and his boat Stinkpot V. He used mono-filament to hang art from the ceiling and to land big-eye tuna off Montauk. Colorful beads adorned his neck, whether he was at Church, at an art opening, or working on North Ferry.
It's safe to say that there was no one like our father. And even though he left this earth far too soon, we are grateful he lives on in his art and the people who knew him. We are also very grateful to Bill Pedersen and the Shelter Island Historical Society for the honor of showing his work in this beautiful new space. Our father loved Shelter Island, loved making art, and we are proud that he is part of American art history and of this special place.
~Victoria Shields
~Jason Shields
PIECES IN EXHIBIT INCLUDE:
Outside: Beads in Trees
Upstairs
Hanging Work in Plexiglass:
Outside: Beads in Trees
Upstairs
Hanging Work in Plexiglass:
- Two Four Too, 1978. Relief printing serigraph, stitching, two-sided on handmade paper, edition of 20
- Black Bart, 1974. Screenprint, lithograph, embossing, dye, collage, two-sided on Arches paper, edition 12
- Sweaty, 1975. Watercolor and thread on handmade paper (two-sided)
- Kool Test #4, 1974. Watercolor and thread on handmade paper (two-sided)
- Thanks for All These Big Smiles
- Willie Fox is a Babe Among Men
- Leslie
- Untitled (with beads)
- How Can We Find a Needle in This Place
- Martian Worm Village, 1996, Woodcut and stamping on handmade paper, edition of 41
- Rickey, 1978, Relief, screen print and stitching on handmade paper, edition of 8
- Elmo's Treasure Map Light, 1980-81, Woodcut, stitching on two sheets of handmade paper, edition of 18
- Untitled, circa 1985, Watercolor, stitching collage on handmade paper, from the collection of Richard Smith
- Progresso Friends with Yo-Yo, 1987, Watercolor, thread, strip, relief on handmade paper
- Skin Care Product, 1988, Watercolor and thread on handmade paper
- Napkin Rings, circa 1993, Wearable art piece made of acrylic on wood beads, made for and from the collection of Edie Landeck
- Wood Tick, 1995, Wearable art piece made of acrylic on wood beads, and set in custom wood stand, made for and from the collection of Elizabeth and Bill Pedersen
- Untitled necklace, 2000, Wearable art piece made of acrylic on wood beads, from the collection of Elizabeth and Bill Pedersen
- Untitled cube, circa 2000, Watercolor on cotton pulp-dipped galvanized steel
- Documentary "Shields" made by Julius Braunschweig circa 1983
- Polka Scent, 2002, Acrylic, beads and thread on canvas
- Put A Name On It Please, 1972, Acrylic, cotton belting, thread, beads
- Alan's ferry shirt with beaded whistle, beaded sunglasses, and beaded hat
- The Magic Poo, 1983, Acrylic, thread, canvas on metal pipe
- Emergency Alert, 1992, Acrylic on canvas with wool yarn