Shane McAdams: Assorted Unreliable Surprises

MILWAUKEE, WI — No Instructions Gallery is pleased to present Assorted Unreliable Surprises, a solo exhibition by artist Shane McAdams, on view from November 15 through December 19, 2025. The exhibition brings together a new body of work that explores the unpredictable nature of materials and process, where chance and control intersect to create paintings that feel both deliberate and spontaneous.

McAdams writes, “I’m bent on, probably obsessed with, bending the potential of materials to do certain things that I hope will create compositional opportunities that are surprising, weird, uncanny, big and small at the same time.” Each work reflects this pursuit—gestures and chemistry colliding to reveal moments that are vivid, layered, and alive in the moment, like nature caught mid-transformation.

Known for his process-driven paintings, McAdams pushes resin, ink, and pigment beyond their expected boundaries, producing compositions that evoke both natural phenomena and human intention. His art invites viewers to consider how beauty emerges from unpredictability, and how material itself can shape meaning.

Shane McAdams is an artist, writer, and curator based between Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and Brooklyn, New York. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including shows at Marlborough, Elizabeth Leach Gallery in Portland, Scream London, the Haggerty Museum of Art, and the John Michael Kohler Art Center. He has taught at the Rhode Island School of Design, Marian University, and the University of Wisconsin, and is a partner at REAL TINSEL, an artist-run space on Milwaukee’s South Side.

Assorted Unreliable Surprises continues No Instructions Gallery’s commitment to supporting contemporary artists who take risks in material and meaning, and to fostering dialogue around new directions in painting and process.

About No Instructions Gallery No Instructions is a contemporary art gallery located in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood. Founded by James Stepanek, the gallery’s mission is to present bold, dynamic artwork that sparks conversation and challenges traditional boundaries. The gallery is dedicated to supporting both emerging and established artists from Milwaukee and beyond, with a focus on innovative work that engages with contemporary cultural conversations.

For media inquiries, high-resolution images, or to schedule an interview with the gallery director, please contact James Stepanek at (773) 317-1500 or james@noinstructs.com.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.