Raqib Shaw

Born in Calcutta and raised in Kashmir, Raqib Shaw’s early life among antiques and exotic fabrics profoundly shaped his artistic vision. He crafts opulent, unearthly realms populated by fantastical creatures and warriors, creating a world that is at once beautiful, terrifying, and steeped in mythology.

Shaw’s paintings on birch panels and paper, alongside his bronze sculptures, draw inspiration from both Eastern and Western mythologies and art historical masterpieces. He employs a distinctive visual lexicon, using unusual media like rhinestones, glitter, and enamel with a painstaking technique reminiscent of ancient cloisonné.

Often featuring himself in his works, Shaw typically appears as a contemplative observer, gazing into reflective surfaces, meditating on the human condition. Living and working in London, his seductive, mystical worlds invite viewers to question whether to embrace or reject their dazzling, debauched allure.