Connor Ovenden-Shaw
Foot is a non-binary, queer artist who challenges norms around gender identity, sustainability, and beauty standards.
Connor Ovenden-Shaw, also known as Foot, is a non-binary, queer multidisciplinary artist based on Wadawurrung land in Melbourne’s west. Working within textiles, photography and performance, they are known for their unique and absurdist take of gender identity, sustainability and beauty standards. Their artist/drag persona Foot is often referenced within both their physical work and through social and online platforms.
In early 2024, Connor undertook a collaboration residency with Sophie Chalk in New York City, the products of which will be featured in an upcoming exhibition at Unassigned Gallery in Brunswick Victoria, 5 - 11 July 2024.
Foot has participated in exhibitions both solo and group based in regional and metropolitan galleries including CONTENT WARNING: Queer, Fat, Sexy - Wyndham Art Gallery 2023, Patchwork Renaissance - C & H Gallery, Hoppers Crossing 2022 and LINEAGE at Warrnambool Art Gallery 2016-17. In 2023 they received Hue And Cry Collective Prize. They have been a finalist in various art prizes and featured within Melbourne Fringe, Melbourne Midsumma Festival, Melbourne Design Week as well as various media.
In addition to their own practice, Foot works closely alongside councils and the TAFE system in hosting education and workshop opportunities in a range of fields including textiles, photography and creative writing.
In this video, Foot chats to NAVA about navigating the current landscape of Australian art from an anti-white cube standpoint, deliberately working in spaces that facilitate a questioning of value systems, and finding joy in an art practice that is in tune with the journey of exploring one’s gender and body.
Video production by Atypical 2024.
Above image: Foot, Dysmorphia; Discarded, 2023. Textile and print.
ID: A photo of the artist sitting in the gutter wearing an orange fabric crown, and dress of orange upholstery fabric with pillowed sleeves around the wrists and neck ruff in a patterned orange fabric. Behind them is a foothpath with grass either side and a red brick building with three windows, to the left is a shabby earth red corrugated iron fence.
