Preston Pavlis

And for me, a small triumph is the greatest Hail-Mary across the longest field
2021
Oil and yarn on canvas, quilted
259 x 211 cm (102 x 83 in.)
Daytime, tomorrow
2020
Quilted acrylic painting on found fabric
213.5 x 183 cm (84 x 72 in.)
lucky to be me
2019
Acrylic, embroidery and fabric on unstretched canvas
183 x 183 cm (72 x 72 in.)
when the jig is up, when the act is finished, when the curtain descends
2020
Oil, fabric and pressed flowers on canvas
244 x 335.5 cm (96 x 132 in.)
Still ready to curse and rage
2021
Exhibition view, Bradley Ertaskiran, Montreal (Canada)
Photo: Paul Litherland
Still ready to curse and rage
2021
Exhibition view, Bradley Ertaskiran, Montreal (Canada)
Photo: Paul Litherland
exquisite intelligence
2021
Oil on board
61 x 30.5 cm. (24 x 12 in.)
The Organist
2020
Acrylic, oil and thread on unstretched canvas
305 x 305 cm (120 x 120 in.)
your skin behind the lattice
2019
Acrylic, oil pastel and embroidery on unstretched canvas
167.5 x 175.5 cm (66 x 69 in.)
heading into the green vastness
2019
Acrylic, oil pastel and embroidery on unstretched canvas
228.5 x 183 cm (90 x 72 in.)
to mud, from dust
2019
Charcoal, ink and embroidery on unprimed canvas
152.5 x 152.5 cm (60 x 60 in.)
no longer I'm mortified
2019
Acrylic and embroidery on canvas
69 x 93 cm (27 x 36.5 in.)

And for me, a small triumph is the greatest Hail-Mary across the longest field
2021
Oil and yarn on canvas, quilted
259 x 211 cm (102 x 83 in.)

Daytime, tomorrow
2020
Quilted acrylic painting on found fabric
213.5 x 183 cm (84 x 72 in.)

lucky to be me
2019
Acrylic, embroidery and fabric on unstretched canvas
183 x 183 cm (72 x 72 in.)

when the jig is up, when the act is finished, when the curtain descends
2020
Oil, fabric and pressed flowers on canvas
244 x 335.5 cm (96 x 132 in.)

Still ready to curse and rage
2021
Exhibition view, Bradley Ertaskiran, Montreal (Canada)
Photo: Paul Litherland

exquisite intelligence
2021
Oil on board
61 x 30.5 cm. (24 x 12 in.)

The Organist
2020
Acrylic, oil and thread on unstretched canvas
305 x 305 cm (120 x 120 in.)

your skin behind the lattice
2019
Acrylic, oil pastel and embroidery on unstretched canvas
167.5 x 175.5 cm (66 x 69 in.)

heading into the green vastness
2019
Acrylic, oil pastel and embroidery on unstretched canvas
228.5 x 183 cm (90 x 72 in.)

to mud, from dust
2019
Charcoal, ink and embroidery on unprimed canvas
152.5 x 152.5 cm (60 x 60 in.)

no longer I'm mortified
2019
Acrylic and embroidery on canvas
69 x 93 cm (27 x 36.5 in.)

Biography

Preston Pavlis’ work on canvas and fabric represents his interest in the fusion of painting and textiles as a means to explore narrative, form, and colour. Focused on poetic association and metaphor, the resulting works in oil, embroidery, and collage are personal charts for time and memory. The works situate solitary figures on often non-descript grounds, their gazes shifting between the viewer and somewhere beyond their space. Whether their expressions are pensive, ebullient, or intentional– they possess a palpable interiority. Pavlis’ figures convey a subtle energy and a deep sense of presence that is enhanced by their imposing scale.

Preston Pavlis (b. 1999, Loma Linda, California) currently lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he is completing his studies at the Nova Scotia College of Arts and Design. Pavlis has presented his work in solo and group exhibitions at Half Gallery (New York), Guts Gallery (London), the Winnipeg Art Gallery (Winnipeg), and Spurs Gallery (Beijing), among others. His work is part of the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto), and has been featured in publications such as BlackFlash, esse arts + opinions, and C Magazine.

Born in Loma Linda, California, 1999

Lives and work in Halifax, Nova Scotia