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Born in 1982, he grew up in London and went on to graduate from Central Saint Martin’s in 2002. Currently lives and works in Margate, UK. The british artist is renowned for exploring themes around “mind human condition” – he works in this conflicted and messy space, which ultimately relates to a relentless need for control within a disordered world. Contradictory feelings of freedom and confinement, safety and claustrophobia, coexist within his works. Within the chaos of our world, Shillinglaw discerns a cosmic order that finds expression in his featured works. His artistic compositions, often characterized by grid-like structures and segmented elements, mirror the multifaceted nature of boundaries within our lives. Shillinglaw’s transformative prowess lies in his unique ability to unite disparate components, breathing life into them and birthing entirely new entities. His art, as presented in “Metamorphosis”, serves as a profound exploration of the intricate tapestry of human existence. He brings together components that did not previously exist in a common whole, which adds power to the transformative potential of these works. The artist created the presented pieces from old ones he destroyed. Rebirth, resurrection, powerful creation: David Shillinglaw brings new beings into existence.

Each of these entities, manifested as faces that radiate with opalescence and shimmering intricacy, carry a distinct and meaningful identity. In doing so, they challenge the rigid confines of gender, personality, and identity, inviting viewers to embrace a more open-minded and compassionate perspective on humanity. What sets David Shillinglaw’s portraits apart is their departure from conventional binary notions of human existence. Instead, they celebrate each individual’s complexity and innate beauty, breaking free from the constraints of categorization. Within the gridded confines of his compositions, one can discern subtle hints on migration, displacement, and the experience of otherness, juxtaposed with the concepts of safety and security. Shillinglaw’s work reflects on the human condition itself, prompting viewers to contemplate the fluidity and interconnectedness that define our existence.

David’s intricate and joyful creations offer a powerful message: the pursuit of an entirely knowable and a version of ourselves, others, and the world, can lead to narrow-mindedness. True beauty, he suggests, lies in surrendering to the cosmic chaos that envelops us, trusting that behind it all, there exists an exquisite order. Only by fully immersing ourselves in the world, accepting our role as one of its precarious parts rather than its sole author, can we genuinely respect and care for it. Much like David, we must revel in the manifold wonders that this world presents, embracing its sublime mysteries with wild abandon.

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