Shaun Gladwell on Beyondism, Art and Cycling

‘A lifetime of inspiration’: Shaun Gladwell on riding and art. 

Australian contemporary artist Shaun Gladwell talks about his relationship with cycling and bikes from a young age, and how it informs and inspires his work.

Born in Sydney, artist Shaun Gladwell now lives and works in Melbourne, where his video performance artworks have drawn audiences with their capacity to harness the feeling and experience of moving and being in urban spaces. Skateboarding and surf culture, BMX riding and city environments, are all captured and transformed when taken on as subjects of art.

Gladwell’s ideas resonate with Pedla’s Beyondism campaign, part of a celebration of cycling’s depth, capturing personal moments of meaning, a gesture to the untold parts of an everyday experience.

For Pedla it’s the spark of a never-ending love affair with riding, with the road, the connections we make with others but also with ourselves when we ride.

Gladwell’s art is one striking manifestation of Beyondism, of the connection between the bike and freedom and creativity: ‘I love how powerful riding is…the proportions of the bike to the body, the way that the bike kind of responds to every single move the body makes…the decisions that you make on a bicycle…there’s so many possibilities.’

 



I think there's a really big connection between what I do as an artist and my experience as a bike rider.

[Shaun Gladwell ]


In fact, at certain points in my work as an artist, I've just bought bicycles directly into the studio and they've formed the artwork themselves.

And I even look at the history of artists doing that kind of stuff. One really famous example is Marcel Duchamp 1913 bicycle wheel.

[ Shaun Gladwell ]

Gladwell’s ideas resonate with Pedla’s Beyondism

Gladwell’s ideas resonate with Pedla’s Beyondism campaign, part of a celebration of cycling’s depth, capturing personal moments of meaning, a gesture to the untold parts of an everyday experience.

For Pedla it’s the spark of a never-ending love affair with riding, with the road, the connections we make with others but also with ourselves when we ride.

Gladwell’s art is one striking manifestation of Beyondism, of the connection between the bike and freedom and creativity: ‘I love how powerful riding is…the proportions of the bike to the body, the way that the bike kind of responds to every single move the body makes…the decisions that you make on a bicycle…there’s so many possibilities.’

More on #Beyondism


My first memories of riding a bike are pretty dear to me, and so they're really kind of etched into my heart pretty seriously.

[ Shaun Gladwell ]

Pedla & Shaun Gladwell Artwork at Pedlas's LLCC Store Collingwood

As part of our evolving concept of Beyondism, we’re excited to feature a video performance piece and installation by Shaun Gladwell at Pedla’s LLCC flagship store in Collingwood. Join us to experience these works and consider your own version of Beyondism.

Visit Pedla

Listen to the interview at Pedla's LLCC Store Collingwood.

44 Sackville St, Collingwood VIC 3066

0492 804 099
Artworks courtesy of Anna Schwartz Gallery