Focus: David Shillinglaw
Our first ever Artist Focus, sees Urban Wallcandy team up with David Shillinglaw a very exciting U.K artist whose style to quote David is “High Energy. Somewhere between pop and abstract expressionism.”
David mixes image, object and installation, illustrating a chaotic exchange between individuals and their tactile environment, exploring ideas of identity and the riddle of the human condition. David’s work draws on ancient mythology along side popular culture; creating a dialogue and vocabulary that skips between the historic and the contemporary.
“The work depicts all the devious devices we use to conceal and reveal our true identities as we struggle both to fit in and stand out. I make work that illustrates the shifts between the multitude of fictions we labor under and the reality of who we are.
I often work directly onto objects I find so I can give up full control of what I make. This is very important to me as I am drawn into a dialogue between myself and my ever changing environments. My work shifts and mutates under the influences of external ideas, environments and conditions. I make things that force me to consider what it is to be human.”
captial chaos by David Shillinglaw
Crown by David Shillinglaw
Q. Tell the readers a little about David Shillinglaw
David Shillinglaw was born in a galaxy far far away, but now lives and works in London. David doesn’t sit still for very long. David has a healthy appetite. David Shillinglaw is a full time artist and part time magician.
Q. What do you think has shaped your particular style?
Comic books, Bukowski, Kerouac. Music and its album covers. Food and its packaging, Human/animal relationships. Mythology. London, Berlin, Tokyo. Late nights, anatomy. Francis Bacon, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Hip-Hop, Led Zeppelin, Graffiti. Comedy. shakespeare. All that has something to do with it.
Q. What got you in to making art?
Encouragement, self belief, and a real love for making things. My parents are really good in the kitchen and I think that had a strong impression on me as a child, making stuff, hands on, I don’t think cooking and painting so different. One you eat with your mouth the other you eat with your eyes.
Q. Professionally, what’s your goal?
Making serious art without taking myself too seriously.
Q. What wouldn’t you do without?
A sense of humor, good coffee, good food, good company, sketchbooks, freedom to travel, freedom of speech.
Q. For the budding creative designers/readers, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Some good quotes that have helped me along.
“life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving forward”
-Albert Einstein.
“Everything you can imagine is real”
Pablo Picasso.
Catching up with David to do the interview has proved a little difficult as David is currently in Japan! David was lucky enough to be invited over by the HeadSpace, so we took the opportunity to catch up with David about life in Japan and the project he is working on.
Q. Japan? How did the project come about?
I was invited by the HeadSpace Gallery to be resident artist. I have wanted to visit Japan for years, so I jumped at the chance and we made it happen. I am writing this from the studio in Japan and still blown away by all the amazing things this country has to offer, beautiful celebrations of nature the elements and spirituality set against incredible cutting edge, fast paced technology. I love to travel as much as possible, its great to get the chance to combine making art and visiting new places.
Q. How have you found working in Japan, have there been any challenges (other than language obviously!)
For sure there have been challenges. My language and communication are limited, but you can get by anywhere in the world with the right attitude and polite manners. I have been really looked after by the gallery who have helped me get around and introduced me to people. I find travelling to be one of the most inspiring activities, especially when I’m thrown in at the deep end, out of my comfort zones, I learn more and see more and feel those challenges make the experience richer and more memorable.
What’s next?
I am really enjoying singing with my band, The Moby Dicks, as making music is a very rewarding thing for me. I am excited to be planning a ‘project room’ show with Jaybo in Berlin this summer. I also have a show coming up with Subwalk gallery in the Netherlands. I have a book coming out about my artwork and adventures called “Chaos is my Favourite Colour”, published by NowhereNorth gallery.
OK, we hope you found our first Artist Focus enjoyable. We would like to thank David for giving us the time to do the focus and we hope to give you updates on the show he mentions at Subwalk and obviously about his pending book launch.
Urban Wallcandy
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Category: Artist Focus
LOVE SHILLINGLAW’S WORK. Great piece! thank you!
David Shillinglaw is the nicest, most positive artist to work with. See his piece for Wallspace, in the City of London. Cheers David.
I am the first time on this site and am really enthusiastic about and so many good articles. I think it’s just very good.