Biography
INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ARTIST
At the age of 5, Philippe Shangti, originally from Toulouse, held his first camera in his hands; by the age of 14, he was building his own camera to understand its mechanism. The love for photography was born early in this self-taught artist with a curious, imaginative, and perfectionist personality.
Saint-Tropez: a true muse-city for the artist
The French Riviera holds great significance for Philippe Shangti, who settled in the city of Saint-Tropez at the beginning of his career. This "muse-city" inspired the artist's early rebellions and gave birth to his initial creative concepts. Initially noticed by a prominent businessman from Saint-Tropez, who recognized Philippe's extraordinary creative potential, the artist, who would later become internationally renowned, was first hired to create restaurant concepts, such as the prestigious establishments Le Quai and, a few years later, L'Opéra Saint-Tropez. He began by exhibiting his first photographs within these establishments he had created himself, placing him at the forefront of the international jet set and quickly gaining him fame.
“Art is the opportunity to let your mind travel freely”
Coming from a humble background and having a very wholesome nature, his new life on the French Riviera was a shock for the native of the suburbs of Toulouse. All the debauchery and opulence of parties and luxury inspired the artist’s initial creations. Thus, he gave birth to his famous emblematic work “No Cocaine Here” and later a series of photographs on the theme “Art Vs Drugs“, in which he denounces denial by depicting superheroes consuming drugs despite his iconic message: “No Cocaine Here.” By associating the image of superheroes and using a message that contradicts the scene he creates, Philippe Shangti seeks to highlight the hypocrisy of denial often linked to drug consumption.
The Unconventional Messenger of Modern Times
This was followed by other photography collections, such as the « No Prostitution Here » series in 2016, « No Pollution Here » in 2017, « Beauté Sauvage » in 2020, and more recently, « Seven » in 2023. Every year, Philippe Shangti creates a new collection of art pieces carrying a new cause. Each new series is a delicate and bold challenge because he denounces immorality while embellishing it. If he denounces the vices of this world with aesthetics, it is to effectively inscribe his battles in the public’s mind with kindness and depth. The artist creates visuals that are more beautiful than violent to convey his messages to as many people as possible.
Over the years, Philippe Shangti has exhibited his works in some of the world’s most prestigious galleries and museums, from Paris to New York, and Monaco. His exhibitions have garnered admiration from art critics and collectors, elevating his status as a globally renowned contemporary artist. Among his most iconic exhibitions, we can mention « The Future is Now » an exhibition created during his participation in the Venice Biennale in 2019, later taken up by the Museum of Fine Arts in Carcassonne from 2020 to 2021. Also, his Solo Show featuring more than forty works at the Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 2021, was internationally acclaimed.
Shangti is not just an isolated artist but a passionate collaborator. He has worked closely with renowned brands and charitable organizations to create unique works of art that combine creativity and social engagement. His most notable collaborations include working with DJ David Guetta to create the artwork « Luxury Music Dinner », released in 2022, as well as the cover and numerous photos for Playboy Magazine’s Art edition in 2021.
Today, Philippe Shangti’s art continues to inspire, provoke, and captivate. His boundless creativity and dedication to pushing artistic boundaries make him an essential artist in the art market, with an impact felt far beyond the art world.