Artist: Richard Shields

Medium: Digital Print

Size: 20 x 20 x 20 cm when assembled

The Fall of the Artist and The Emperors New Instagram draw on historical influences, from literature to fine art and theatre but also adopt contemporary aesthetics and concerns. The predicaments they find themselves in, are an Absurdist parody of the artists life and hyper realisation of cynical online personas. The desperate struggle to gain success and recognition, often result in feeling defeated and unmotivated, however in this work they become the very inspiration for a tale of self betterment and the hope of redemption. As the manifestations take inspiration from paintings and drawings, It is a fitting act of atavism, they have become drawings themselves. The style in which they have been rendered, pays homage to Aubrey Beardsley and Egon Schiele, artists who themselves, explored the darker side of their persona and the sinister underbelly of high society, a world reflected in the luxurious lifestyles of Instagram.

For the 2021 Multiples edition I have produced a flat pack print, based on my studio in Paradise Works. When assembled this print can nestle on your bookshelf, amongst copies of the Yellow Book and Oscar Wilde. The figures will stand in the studio, lamenting their struggles and taking selfies in front of finished works. Within the piece are two previous works, exploring the monotony of painting gallery walls and the tally chart used to count attendance figures, attained by famous works of art.

Artist Biography

Richard Shields is a visual artist based between London and Manchester. Shields graduated from a B.A in sculpture from Manchester Metropolitan University. As a student Shields Co-founded a curatorial collective specialising in the site specific. ‘Contents May Vary’ produced exhibitions national wide and were nominated for the Best of Manchester Awards by Artist Jeremy Deller and Sight and Sound Magazine. As a Solo artist Shields has exhibited and lectured internationally and has recently finished a 6 year tenure as a writer for Arts Council England. Recently Shields performed with Cap & Dove, a touring, Peterloo legacy project by Joshua Sofaer. Shields produced a feature film based on a residency in Bill Drummond's Curfew Tower, delivered a practice based workshop in Michelangelo Pistoletto’s institute in Biella Italy and is Currently working on a new commission for the Manchester Independents initiative. Website

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