Rules of Summer

Rules of Summer featured a set of original paintings from Shaun Tan. The exhibition explored the friendship of two young boys challenged by many difficult and irrational situations, each one a metaphor for familiar childhood experiences. The story of the works were little more than a list of mysterious rules, ‘Never step on a snail’, ‘Never leave the back door open overnight’ or ‘Never leave a red sock on the clothesline’. As each rule was broken – not always by accident – surprising consequences ensued and audiences were invited to decide for themselves what was really happening, and why.

Rules of Summer was a unique collection of rarely seen original works from Shaun Tan, including working drawings and artist’s notes from his dynamic and enchanting series of the same name.