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Release the Poetic Beauty of Tulle, Tearless of Innovative Explorers
People's understanding of things often stems from past experiences. Unconsciously, our existing perceptions solidify through repeated sensory encounters, gradually limiting our imagination. However, witnessing elegant and precise tulle gracefully shaping a female silhouette in the air, with translucent and ethereal faces steadfastly embodying the pure beauty of the material, breaks the traditional impression of fabrics being merely soft. Through the artistry of British artist Benjamin Shine, the fabric's folds—whether sparse or dense—seem to consciously assert themselves, calmly showcasing their fragile and gentle characteristics to the outside world while inherently harboring an unwavering will. This quietly narrates the possibilities of textiles transcending traditional structures.
Rediscovering the Original Passion for Creation, Exploring the Diversity of Art
As we admire a myriad of artworks, we often find ourselves unraveling the creator's mindset and worldview. The vibrant tulle before us seems to breathe life, each line and fold extending, twisting, and arranging freely like the undulating movements of muscles. This striking contrast unveils its intrinsic charm and naturally stirs curiosity about the formative experiences that have guided this artist to express his understanding of the surrounding world with such impactful elegance.
Tracing back to the genesis of Benjamin Shine's profound attraction to art, he willingly shares that his father recently sent him a box of treasured "old items." To his surprise, it contained drawings he had crafted during his childhood for his father and grandparents, alongside some very old reports. The heartfelt encouragement he received from his art teacher at the tender age of five resurfaced once more, reigniting the emotions tied to that pivotal moment. It all commenced with this positive affinity, cementing his determination to tread the path of art. On one hand, he transforms abstract ideas into tangible creations, relentlessly seeking new possibilities; on the other, he yearns to see if his works can garner more positive and affirming feedback.
Benjamin's design brilliance began to illuminate at the mere age of sixteen. The shirts he designed were even embraced into the product lines of the fashion brand he was affiliated with at the time. This remarkable feat propelled him to pursue fashion design at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design in the UK. For him, this was an exceedingly joyful academic journey. Each looming deadline only served to expedite his creative thinking, markedly enhancing both his inventive prowess and technical skills. To this day, Benjamin steadfastly believes that pursuing a degree in fashion is an exceptional avenue for developing personal creative abilities. Even though he does not harbor a true passion for fashion itself, it undeniably served as a springboard for his evolution as a designer. He deftly harnesses the drawing skills meticulously honed over the years to venture into the commercial realm, thereby forging a broader and more expansive path for himself.
Returning to the Source of Creativity, Breathing New Life into Tulle
Certainly, Benjamin Shine, endowed with original thought and a passion for creation, achieved outstanding results at both the Surrey Institute of Art and Design and Central St. Martins. However, this did not mean he was willing to rest solely on his laurels in fashion design. In fact, the sculptural quality of his work surpassed its wearability, leading many fashion brands to recognize his talent while also believing that only by establishing his own brand could Benjamin fully harness his uniquely distinctive design style.
Realizing that he might not be suited for the traditional fashion industry, Benjamin willingly devoted several months to creating a series of fabric mixed-media artworks and sculptures in preparation for his inaugural exhibition. Concurrently, he embarked on developing the The Skoody commercial product line. This innovative design, which ingeniously combines lightweight scarves, hooded jackets, and raincoats, not only earned him the Enterprising Young Brit Award but also showcased the sustainability and versatility inherent in his approach to fashion.
Despite his efforts to transcend the confines of fashion, he ironically found himself returning to his starting point. After founding Benjamin Shine Studio, he continued to develop new products while persistently creating textile sculptures. His mixed-media textile portraits, in particular, garnered significant acclaim from the public. Consequently, he decided to reevaluate this theme and revisit the fabric manipulation techniques he frequently practiced during his studies, using wrinkles to sculpt images. Even though the completion of this piece was not highly polished, it opened the door to tulle creation, allowing him over the past 15 years to tirelessly experiment and develop numerous new methods and techniques based on his sewing and ironing skills, thereby pushing the potential of fabrics to their limits.
Benjamin is fascinated by structural challenges and delights in using lightweight and semi-transparent materials to explore the interactions between energy, impermanence, surface, and spirituality. As a result, his tulle works invariably embody a faint, almost ephemeral quality that seems poised to dissipate at any moment, weaving an intangible essence into each creation.
Discovering Art in Everyday Life, Seeking Unknown Possibilities
Who would have imagined that an ordinary iron could transform into a wand-like instrument in the hands of this interdisciplinary artist, skillfully manipulating tulle with every fold infused with Benjamin’s perspective and care for the world? His renowned Flow series is a personal exploration of mindfulness and meditation. Uniformly sized pieces of tulle are meticulously treated to form complex portraits, yet within their vibrant colors and feminine faces lie profound beauty and a serene atmosphere. Symbolically, this represents the search for clarity of mind and spirit amidst chaos, challenging the simplistic definitions of art and fashion by juxtaposing the surreal with the real, prompting deep contemplation and fostering new ways of thinking.
➤ Sky Flow with blue sky
Reflecting on the collaboration between Benjamin and British fashion designer John Galliano for the Maison Margiela Artisanal Spring 2017 collection, the appearance of a female face shaped from black tulle on a white coat was truly astonishing. Regarding the design process at that time, Benjamin stated that John provided him with significant creative freedom while consciously ensuring that the final product fully aligned with his vision for Maison Margiela. After countless adjustments and tests, they successfully transcended the previously static presentation method, seamlessly integrating the ephemeral, smoke-like qualities of tulle into a dynamic fashion show. This subtle incorporation echoed the transformative process of turning fabric into wearable art.
For Benjamin Shine, a fervent explorer of new ideas, everything happening in daily life holds the potential to inspire his creations. He is always equipped with a sketchbook, ready to draw or jot down ideas, dedicating himself to completing his ongoing projects. Refusing to confine himself to a fixed design model or approach, he not only continues to create breathtaking tulle works but also experiments with different materials and concepts to explore previously uncharted artistic territories. An exemplary piece is his new public sculpture Everchange, displayed in Canberra, Australia. Diverging from his earlier works in scale and material, Everchange draws inspiration from autumn Pin Oak leaves. When the wind blows over this giant sphere suspended high in the air, its 2,500 autumn-colored rotators create ripples, presenting ever-changing patterns that connect with everyday life. Through relentless innovation, Benjamin enables his art to interact with people in real-time, allowing them to engage with and enjoy the experience.
