Originally from Staffordshire, London-based artist Phil Shakespeare creates textile artworks inspired by the bold geometric forms, light, and shadows of the built environment. Drawing on his background in graphic design, upholstery, and his love of architecture, Phil translates shapes and details from concrete brutalist structures into tactile compositions by sewing together stitched linen panels. His work explores the balance between structure and softness, transforming hard-edged architecture into textured textile art.
We asked Phil: Why do you choose to work in an abstract style?
“I usually start with a building or architectural form, then explore ways to evolve its composition, rhythm, and texture. Sometimes the work stays semi-abstract, other times it becomes fully abstract. Abstraction lets me focus on the shapes and forms themselves, and see them in new ways.”
What does the word abstract mean to you personally?
“Abstract, to me, is about distilling reality down to its essence - a way of reducing something to its core elements to create a new composition.”