Supernormal stimuli is when an animals’ fundamental survival instincts, are highjacked by the allure of sources that imitate primal stimuli. Birds will neglect their own eggs, for brightly painted Styrofoam replicas or (in some cases) volleyballs, as these impersonate the favourable qualities the birds naturally react to. An entire beetle population became close to extinction in Australia because the male beetles preferred pursuing discarded beer bottles, which were larger, shinier and a more vibrant brown than the female beetles. With supernormal stimuli, the hyperpalatable imposter, which offers nothing beyond its appeal, diverts the evolutionary course of its admirer. 

Bulk rubbish. The suburban purge of yesteryear’s object driven dopamine spikes. Kerbside piles of fallen plastic eggs displaced by more formidable editions.

Here the discarded is reformatted and removed from previous functionary contexts. By amplifying the alluring material qualities, these compositions brazenly mimic the aura of art objects, in the hope to once again be culturally revered.

Megan Shaw is a sculptor/painter primarily fuelled by the devastating allure of the everyday; re-working found materials and commonplace items into playful, colourful, and textural compositions to re-awaken new feelings of wonder and allure with the quotidian. Shaw has completed a Bachelor at Fine Art at Curtin University where she is currently undertaking Honours. She was the recipient of the Western Australia Women in Fine Art Scholarship, membership to the Vice Chancellors list, and the Endeavour Mobility Grant to complete units of her Undergrad at École Nationale Supérieure d’Art in Dijon, France. She has exhibited at Structura Gallery in Sofia, Bulgaria and undertaken artist residencies at World of Co, Bulgaria, and D.U.P.L.O in Cadiz, Spain.