Shawn Nayar is a performing artist who traces queer diasporic histories to expose the violence embedded in their colonial fractures. As these histories are tumultuous, his body of work contorts to capture them by facilitating critical discourse across intrinsic movement pieces, multimedia installations, and performance lectures.
His work is innately malleable and transforms across different sites – activated installations in contemporary art spaces morph into interactive performances in queer clubs – adapting to their environments while facilitating critical discourse. By allowing his body to inhabit different facets of a complex lived experience, he creates collective encounters that encourage audiences to engage with historical legacies in the present moment.
CV
Born 1998, India
Living and working in Glasgow, Scotland
Education
2018 - 2022, BA(Hons) Intermedia Art, Edinburgh College of Art, UK
2017 - 2018, Foundation Diploma, Newcastle College (UAL), UK
Selected Performances
2025
The Mongrel - Take Me Somewhere Festival, Glasgow. (Forthcoming)
Trodden Hooves - Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh.
W.(h)I.P. - Fates collective, Edinburgh.
2024
The Mongrel (extract) - Actoral Festival, Marseille / Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh.
EXXXOSKELETON supporting Sissy Misfit - Ponyboy, Glasgow.
Pearl Divers of the Deep Sea supporting Pearling with Twink Flames - Lovelocket EP launch, Glasgow.
Sally’s World supporting Malu Laet - Somers Gallery, London.
C*m Coated Fly - Riposte, London.
2023
Rabid and Feral - Buzzcut Festival, Glasgow / Riposte, London.
Prismatic Pupations supporting LVRA on tour - Civic House, Glasgow.
Twinkling Undulations with Twink Flames and Ponyboy - Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh.
Pupations with Selvatica - Byker Art Festival, Newcastle upon Tyne / Shoot your Shot, Glasgow.
Idoŭlls of Perversity with Ellie Home - Anatomy Arts, Edinburgh / Microsteria, Edinburgh / Riposte, London.
2022
Balloon Burlesque - Fruit Salad Cabaret, Edinburgh / Tron Theatre, Glasgow.
Solar Bloom supporting Liva Rita on UK tour - Edinburgh
Freaky Deeks - Embassy Gallery Anualle, Edinburgh.
Group Exhibitions
2025, EOP Summer Camp Show - Eastside Projects, Birmingham.
2023, Kin.X - Transmission Gallery, Glasgow.
2022, Gandu - Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show, Edinburgh
Talks and Workshops
2025, ‘Imperial Ambitions: The Nouveau Riche of the Second City’ for the National Trust of Scotland, Glasgow.
2024, ‘Imperial Symbolism: The Greek Revival in the Second City’ for the National Trust of Scotland, Glasgow.
2023, ‘Club Critical’ Panellist for Events Research Programme, Glasgow.
2023, ‘Dancefloor Politics’ Guest Speaker for Subcity Radio, Glasgow.
2022, ‘Gandu; Performance Workshop’ Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show, Edinburgh.
2021 ‘Networks for Connecting’ Virtual guest speaker for R-Lab Curating, Edinburgh.
2021 ‘Insert Art Here’ Virtual panel facilitator, Edinburgh.
Selected Experience
Exhibition Assistant, Art Sparks Foundation, Bengaluru, January - March 2025
Art Tour Guide, Holmwood House, Glasgow, March 2023 - present
Art Tour Guide, Gosford House, Edinburgh, April 2019 - July 2022
Co-Director, Insert Art Here Exhibition, Virtual Exhibition Zoom, October 2020 - June 2022
Event Organiser, The Revel, Edinburgh, March - May 2022
Curator, Revolt Nightclub, Edinburgh, January - April 2022
Exhibition Organizer, Bodies of Eden, Newcastle upon Tyne, July - September 2021
Founder, Freaky Deeks Collective, February 2021 – June 2022
Residencies
2024, Studio Somewhere, Take Me Somewhere, Glasgow
2024, Interdisciplinary Residency Programme, Hospitalfield, Arbroath.
2024, Tramway Supports Residency, Tramway, Glasgow.
2023, Ponyboy Club Residency, Glasgow.
2023, Buzzcut Club Residency, Glasgow.
Awards
2023, Sanctuary Queer Arts Development Fund
2022, Helen A Rose Bequest
2018, John Clarke Bursary Award