Philippe Shangti is a multidisciplinary French contemporary artist. Born in 1983 in Toulouse, he studied in this city then he moved to Saint-Tropez at the beginnings of the 2000s. He became known by exhibiting his art on the walls of trendy restaurants. Ten years later, he moved to the Principality of Andorra.
From his beginnings, the artist publishes regularly new collections. Centered on a specific theme, he always denounces different problems affecting society. In 2013, his photographic collection "Art vs. Drugs" launches his career. His works are exhibited in about galleries around the world and in collectors' homes. In 2019, Philippe Shangti is chosen to represent the Principality of Andorra at the 58th Venice Biennale with his project "The Future is Now". This time, those works are focus on the impact of humanity on the environment and the future of our planet.
Early life and education
Philippe Shangti was born in 1983, and raised in Jolimont area at Toulouse. At a very young age, he became interested in photography. He studied communication at the Lycée Jolimont and played handball with the Spacers. One of the artist's hobbies is martial arts, his artist name is borrowed from Shang-Chi, the kung fu hero of Marvel Comics.
Career
Beginnings in Saint-Tropez
At the beginnings of the 2000s, Joseph Geenen, a multiple restaurant owner, chose Philippe Shangti to be responsible for the artistic management of a new restaurant Le Quai located on the port of Saint-Tropez In 2008, the artist made the collection "No Cocaïne Here" his first photo canvas print. He depicted the fact that under drugs influence you may think your are great and super but it is not the case. He used models dressed as botoxed dolls and also well known comic book heroes like Hulk, Batman or Superman His provocative art attracted the attention of collectors and celebrities on vacation in Saint-Tropez. Celebrities like Eva Longoria and Tony Parker own pieces of this French rising artist.
The decadent nights of Saint-Tropez influence the first years of Philippe Shangti. He is the witness and observer of "Sex, Drugs and Rock'n Roll" parties. In 2012, Philippe Shangti presents in London his exhibition "Saint Tropez to London" at Imitate Modern whose 28 provocative color images present a visual cocktail of drugs, fetishism, anarchy, sex and death. One year later, he introduced his collection "Art vs. Drugs" which is again denouncing drugs. It is considered as the photographic collection that revealed him to the general public and launched his career.
Also situated on the port of Saint-Tropez, The Opera, a true restaurant - art gallery, is inaugurated in 2014. It is a unique artistic concept imagined by Philippe Shangti, where photographs, sculptures and live shows, inspired by his latest collection, blend together. Through creative shows, the artist brings his creations to life on the restaurant's central tables, arranged like podiums, creating a living art gallery. In the following years he always exhibit in the establishment to present his new creations. Prostitution is denounced in the collection "No Prostitution Here", exhibited in April 2016.
Studio in Andorra
Saturated from the Saint-Tropez frenzy, Philippe Shangti move to Andorra in order to get closer to nature. He set up a large studio and a personal museum open to the public in La Massana. In 2017, the nature inspired him with the collection "No Pollution Here".
In 2018, the French model, television host, and former Miss Universe 2016, Iris Mittenaere posed for Philippe Shangti. The work entitled I'm Iris. I'm not a princess pictures her wearing a multicolored crown, a Barbie fashion doll around the neck and a red princess dress with a very low neckline. The photographic work is auctioned at 40,000 euros in June 2018, at Cornette of Saint Cyr. All the benefits of this collaboration have been given to the Smile Train association which Iris Mittenaere is the godmother. This association operates free of charge on children born with cleft lip and cleft palate in developing countries.
The 2018 collection "No Topless Here" focused on the women's empowerment. At the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019, the contemporary artist exposes a part of his works under the title "Art is my hope", at the thermal complex Caldea in Escaldes-Engordany. 8 sculptures and 18 large-format photos are exhibited, including misappropriations of the Mona Lisa of Leonardo da Vinci and works by Picasso. This exhibition recalled the various themes that preoccupy him, such as the future of our planet.