Philippe Shangti

The artist imagined the design of Le Quai and L'Opera, restaurants located on the port of Saint-Tropez where he also exhibits his art collections.[7]

At the beginnings of the 2000s, Joseph Geenen, a multiple restaurant owner, chose Philippe Shangti to be responsible for the artistic management of a new restaurant Le Quai located on the port of Saint-Tropez[7] In 2008, the artist made the collection "No Cocaïne Here" his first photo canvas print.[7][8] He depicted the fact that under drugs influence you may think your are great and super but it is not the case. He used models dressed as botoxed dolls and also well known comic book heroes like Hulk, Batman or Superman[8] His provocative art attracted the attention of collectors and celebrities on vacation in Saint-Tropez.[7] Celebrities like Eva Longoria and Tony Parker own pieces of this French rising artist.[9]

The decadent nights of Saint-Tropez influence the first years of Philippe Shangti. He is the witness and observer of "Sex, Drugs and Rock'n Roll" parties.[10] In 2012, Philippe Shangti presents in London his exhibition "Saint Tropez to London" at Imitate Modern whose 28 provocative color images present a visual cocktail of drugs, fetishism, anarchy, sex and death.[9][11] One year later, he introduced his collection "Art vs. Drugs" which is again denouncing drugs. It is considered as the photographic collection that revealed him to the general public and launched his career.[10][12]

Also situated on the port of Saint-Tropez, The Opera, a true restaurant - art gallery, is inaugurated in 2014. It is a unique artistic concept imagined by Philippe Shangti, where photographs, sculptures and live shows, inspired by his latest collection, blend together. Through creative shows, the artist brings his creations to life on the restaurant's central tables, arranged like podiums, creating a living art gallery. In the following years he always exhibit in the establishment to present his new creations.[7][13][14][15] Prostitution is denounced in the collection "No Prostitution Here", exhibited in April 2016.[16][17]

Philippe Shangti has a studio located in La Massana, Andorra[6].

Iris Mittenaere and Philippe Shangti teamed up for a charity sale.[18]

Saturated from the Saint-Tropez frenzy, Philippe Shangti move to Andorra in order to get closer to nature. He set up a large studio and a personal museum open to the public in La Massana.[6][5] In 2017, the nature inspired him with the collection "No Pollution Here".[10]

In 2018, the French model, television host, and former Miss Universe 2016, Iris Mittenaere posed for Philippe Shangti. The work entitled I'm Iris. I'm not a princess pictures her wearing a multicolored crown, a Barbie fashion doll around the neck and a red princess dress with a very low neckline. The photographic work is auctioned at 40,000 euros in June 2018, at Cornette of Saint Cyr. All the benefits of this collaboration have been given to the Smile Train association which Iris Mittenaere is the godmother. This association operates free of charge on children born with cleft lip and cleft palate in developing countries.[18][19][20]

The 2018 collection "No Topless Here" focused on the women's empowerment.[10] At the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019, the contemporary artist exposes a part of his works under the title "Art is my hope", at the thermal complex Caldea in Escaldes-Engordany.[21][22] 8 sculptures and 18 large-format photos are exhibited, including misappropriations of the Mona Lisa of Leonardo da Vinci and works by Picasso.[6][5] This exhibition recalled the various themes that preoccupy him, such as the future of our planet.[21]

After winning a national competition in which 27 artists participated,[6] Philippe Shangti is chosen to represent the Principality of Andorra at the 58th Venice Biennale, one of the oldest, most important and prestigious contemporary art exhibitions in the world.[6][23][22][24] From May 11, 2019 to November 24, 2019, the artist exhibits several creations at the Institute Santa Maria della Pietà, Venice.[25] Using different types of art such as photography and sculpture, grouped under the name "The Future is Now", those works address the impact of humanity on the environment and the future of our planet.[7][4][24] Olga Gelabert Fàbrega, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, explains that environment is obviously a global concern. But it is also specifically important to the Principality whose governments efforts allow to keep only 5% of the national territory developed and the rest is pure nature.[4]

Inspired by Gustave Courbet's work, Philippe Shangti presented "Beauté Sauvage" ("Wild Beauty"), a new exhibition first visible online on his website, where the woman is converted in the center of the seduction.[26][27] From July 15, 2020 to January 3, 2021, he exhibits the project "The Future is Now" at the Museum of Fine Arts at Carcassonne[28][29] His 2020 collection is named "No Animal Killer Here".[10] It defends the animal cause and addresses the problems of bullfighting, poaching and species extinction. In those artworks, the artist reverses the roles and makes the human models look like hunting trophies or victims.[24][30][31]