Preston Pavlis

31 years of roses
2023
Oil on canvas, quilted onto fabric backing
176.53 x 149.86 cm (69½ x 59 in.)
Of opalescence
2021
Oil, fabric, butterflies and yarn on linen, quilted
348 x 188 cm. (137 x 74 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.).
lucky to be me
2019
Acrylic, embroidery and fabric on unstretched canvas
183 x 183 cm (72 x 72 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.)
Violet Eyes
2022
Oil on canvas, quilted onto fabric backing
182.9 x 213.4 cm. (72 x 84 in.)
Still ready to curse and rage
2021
Exhibition view, Bradley Ertaskiran, Montreal (Canada)
Photo: Paul Litherland
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
Love for sale
2022
Oil on canvas, quilted onto fabric backing
241.30 x 134.62 cm. (95 x 53 in.)
Man with tattoos
2021
Oil on linen, quilted
182.9 x 148.6 cm. (72 x 58.5 in.)
When giving's done
2022
Oil on canvas, quilted onto fabric backing
137.16 x 104.14 cm. (54 x 41 in.)
The Drama in Blue
2021
Oil on linen
25.5 x 20.5 cm. (10 x 8 in.)
Second sight
2021
Oil and dried flower petals on canvas
76 x 61 cm. (30 x 24 in.)
exquisite intelligence
2021
Oil on board
61 x 30.5 cm. (24 x 12 in.)
Through Flesh
2023
Oil on canvas, quilted onto fabric backing
121.92 x 48.26 cm. (48 x 19 in.)
The Cruciform Window
2022
Oil on canvas, quilted
121.9 x 35.6 cm. (48 x 14 in.)
An Offer
2023
Oil on canvas, quilted onto fabric backing
104.14 x 41.91 cm. (41 x 16½ in.)

31 years of roses
2023
Oil on canvas, quilted onto fabric backing
176.53 x 149.86 cm (69½ x 59 in.)

Of opalescence
2021
Oil, fabric, butterflies and yarn on linen, quilted
348 x 188 cm. (137 x 74 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.).

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

Violet Eyes
2022
Oil on canvas, quilted onto fabric backing
182.9 x 213.4 cm. (72 x 84 in.)

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

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

Love for sale
2022
Oil on canvas, quilted onto fabric backing
241.30 x 134.62 cm. (95 x 53 in.)

Man with tattoos
2021
Oil on linen, quilted
182.9 x 148.6 cm. (72 x 58.5 in.)

When giving's done
2022
Oil on canvas, quilted onto fabric backing
137.16 x 104.14 cm. (54 x 41 in.)

The Drama in Blue
2021
Oil on linen
25.5 x 20.5 cm. (10 x 8 in.)

Second sight
2021
Oil and dried flower petals on canvas
76 x 61 cm. (30 x 24 in.)

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

Through Flesh
2023
Oil on canvas, quilted onto fabric backing
121.92 x 48.26 cm. (48 x 19 in.)

The Cruciform Window
2022
Oil on canvas, quilted
121.9 x 35.6 cm. (48 x 14 in.)

An Offer
2023
Oil on canvas, quilted onto fabric backing
104.14 x 41.91 cm. (41 x 16½ 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 Bradley Ertaskiran (Montreal), 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