Shawn Punch Brings Photorealism and Fashion to Life in Graphite Bodies
Brooklyn, NY — September 2024 — The IW Gallery opens its doors to Graphite Bodies, a solo exhibition of pencil drawings by Shawn Punch, on view from September 6 through September 25, 2024. Known as a photographer, filmmaker, and draftsman, Punch turns his camera’s sharp eye toward graphite, producing meticulously rendered works that blur the line between fashion, anatomy, and fine art.
From Fashion Shows to Graphite Renderings
Punch’s photorealistic drawings are born from two sources: his own fashion photography and traditional life studies. The exhibition showcases an array of female figures — posed, costumed, or nude — each rendered with striking precision and emotional depth. The works capture what lies between performance and stillness, merging the fleeting glamour of fashion shows with the timeless intimacy of hand-drawn form.
Among the highlights is Punch’s reinterpretation of Naomi Campbell’s legendary runway appearance for Alexander McQueen, transformed into graphite with astonishing fidelity. Such works exemplify Punch’s ability to preserve ephemeral fashion moments in permanent, tactile detail, while also elevating them into contemplative art.
A Journey Rooted in Brooklyn and Beyond
Born in Georgetown, Guyana, and raised in Brooklyn, Punch first began drawing as a teenager, inspired by the muscular anatomy and elaborate costumes of comic books. After earning a BA in Sociology from Penn State, he pursued fashion and celebrity portraiture, sketching figures from magazines before pivoting to photography.
His leap into the fashion world saw him documenting hundreds of shows across New York, Paris, and Slovakia, and it was during this time that he began translating his photographs into graphite studies. Formal training at the Art Students League under Michael Grimaldi and Costa Vavagiakis sharpened his technique, refining his balance between anatomical accuracy and expressive artistry.
Beyond the Page and Screen
Punch’s creative reach extends well beyond drawing. His photography and artwork have been shown at venues such as Kings Plaza Mall, Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, Callahan Center Art Gallery, and the Nuyorican Poets Café. As a filmmaker, his short Watch Me Unfold was featured at the Chelsea Film Festival, further proof of his interdisciplinary practice
In addition, Punch has been recognized by New York City and New York State for mentoring young photographers at William H. Maxwell High School, and continues to teach filmmaking through Reel Works, passing on his skill and vision to the next generation.
Meticulous Beauty at IW Gallery
At its core, Graphite Bodies is about meticulous beauty — a heightened tension between the hyper-real and the deeply personal, between the spectacle of fashion and the vulnerability of the human form. For Punch, each drawing is more than representation; it is a meditation on how we see and remember bodies, garments, and moments.
Graphite Bodies runs September 6–25, 2024 at IW Gallery, 630 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.