Ian Shults (Austin, TX)

Words by Evan La Ruffa

It’s always alluring when something in plain sight is obscured in some small, yet hugely significant way. Ian Shults seems to have mastered this. Voyeurism mixed with the emptiness of a question unanswered. Between the clouded lines and the ones that feel incisive and explicit, the viewer finds oneself completely lost in the context we’ve all since superimposed. The images are pregnant with possibilities, if not passion and drama. This Austin, Texas based artist just had an opening at Wally Workman Gallery, where his work can be seen throughout the month of June. IPMM was happy to be in attendance, as were many other curious onlookers. His latest exhibition at WW is entitled “Party/Animals,” and the gallery has this to say about it:

“Party Animals is our third solo show with local painter Ian Shults. Being a painter who addresses debauchery and subversive behavior, what happens when Ian gets a hold of seemingly even keeled people? This show answers that question. Lets just say it involves trespassing. And a lingerie dance party.”

If you’re not abe to stop by the gallery in person, you can view a full preview of the entire exhibition right here.