Tulle
British born Benjamin Shine is best known for his pioneering work in tulle, the 'floaty' fabric made from nylon, rayon or silk. He developed his unique technique while studying fashion at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design, and later at Central St. Martins. He says he became obsessed with creating clothing from a single length of fabric. But eventually he saw even more potential in using fabric as a medium through which to create ideas away from the body. He settled on tulle when he happened to notice a crumpled ball of it on the studio floor. Benjamin then developed a method of pressing a single length of tulle fabric under glass to create unique and striking portraits.
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Quietude Flow No.6
50 x 70cm, Single length of tulle on canvas
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Dreamer Flow No. 2
50 x 70cm, Single length of tulle on canvas
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Peace Flow No. 1
50 x 70cm, Single length of tulle on canvas
For the last two decades, Benjamin's work has been exhibited and purchased by private collectors and arts institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Arts and Design New York and The London Design Museum. Clients and collaborators include Beyonce, Givenchy, Maison Margiela, Bergdorf Goodman, Barclays Wealth, British Telecom, Refinery 29, Google, Barnes and Noble and MTV.
He says: "I actually think of myself as a creative explorer and inventor. I’m an ideas person, and while my work often gets classed as art, painting, sculpture or design, it’s all a form of invention and creative thinking. If the end results provoke the reaction “How?” or “Wow!”, then I’m satisfied it has connected and made a positive impact."
Benjamin Shine
B. 1978
Hampstead, London, UK
Works in
Canberra, Australia