Tulle Works
These works centre around ideas of energy, impermanence and the relationship between the spiritual and the superficial.
Flow
2013 – Present
A single length of tulle is manipulated to literally and metaphorically represent mindfulness, meditation and the notion of finding clarity out of chaos.
Tulle on canvas
Mounted within a satin white box frame
Bespoke Commissions &
Available Works
There are currently 9 separate Flows, each comprising their own unique series.
Within each series, every piece remains unique, with no two Flows ever being exactly the same.
New pieces for each series can be commissioned to colour and size preference.
Sizes range from (Framed) 50 x70cm to 1m24cm x 2m05cm
For further details about commissioning a bespoke Flow edition
or to receive the list of currently available works please contact:
studio@benjaminshine.com
The Dance
Exploring the idea of creativity as a powerful yet brief force of energy, The Dance represents this flow and fleeting expression bursting from the source as if manifesting momentarily. A white circular vessel releases a smoke-like plume high into the air, engulfing the ceiling above. The colours converge to form two large faces and a series of dancing figures, silhouetted within the flowing fabric as if suspended in motion. Constructed from over 2000 metres of tulle, each face and figure is created through a process of pleating, layering, compacting and hand-sewing the material into shape. Relying on the structural properties of the fabric alone, the installation is entirely made of tulle and thread.
Tulle Installation
35m x 3m x 1m20
Canberra Centre
Australia
Photographs: Developing Agents
Flux
These works serve to question perceptions of reality, the nature of the physical and the impermanence of things. Through the manipulation and compression of tulle and resin, variations in density enable sculptures that appear to traverse the spectrum of solidity; from material to immaterial; from physical to non-physical; from something to nothing.
Remembrance
Tulle on Canvas
2.5m x 3.5m
Givenchy
Created with creative director Riccardo Tisci for the menswear couture collection, religious iconography is constructed from pleated tulle, with the technique and texture carried through the entire garment, encapsulated behind a single layer of tulle.
Harmony
Created in collaboration with Chloe x Halle for Refinery 29’s annual interactive exhibition ’29 Rooms’, Harmony takes the form of a hypnotic audio-visual installation. Inspired by the power and beauty of energies uniting, the smoke-like sculpture slowly rotates, morphing between discord and harmony.
Fine wire mesh
4m x 1.5m x50cm
Photograph: Erik Swaine
Coalescence
In these works, two worlds collide, one of freedom and chance, the other of order and structure. Each composition is a result of finding the balance between both.
Netting and wood on aluminium
120cm x 120cm
Seeing Through The Material
In an age of materialism and mass-distraction, the installation explores the relationship between the superficial and the spiritual. Through the process of gathering and hand-sewing the translucent material into form, the work aims to evoke a sense of self-reflection and clarity from within.
Hand sewn tulle installation
Bergdorf Goodman 5th Avenue windows, New York
Each 2.5m x 3m
Photography: Max Bolzonella
Nexus
These works are an exploration in cause and effect. Three dimensional compositions are generated via the playful consequences of soft fabric compressed between hard blocks. These works were the first of the series, focussed on the colour saturation effects of the compressed netting before being developed as solid surface sculptures.
Netting, wood and paint
90 x 120cm and 120 x 120cm
Tulle Portraits
Each portrait is formed from the folds of the tulle fabric alone – there are no drawn lines or paint in these, or any of the works. The intricate pressing and pleating of the translucent material generates a variety of tones and textures while the specific flow of the fabric provides directional pleats to further describe the form of the face.
For commission enquiries please contact studio@benjaminshine.com
Princess Charlene
Tulle on canvas
125cm x 155cm
Jason
Tulle on canvas
70cm x 70cm
Peter
Tulle on canvas
70cm x 180cm
Renata
Tulle on canvas
70cm x 90cm
John
Tulle on canvas
95cm x 125cm
Jason
Tulle on canvas
95cm x 95cm
Sheikha Mozah
Tulle on canvas
125cm x 155cm
Maison Margiela
Black tulle lining from inside the white trench coat escapes, flowing around the body to reveal an intricately formed face. The piece took over 300 hours to make over the course of several months, before shown during the Artisanal show at Couture Fashion Week in Paris 2017.
Purchased by the Metropolitan Museum, New York.
Margiela Coat
Hand-sewn black tulle suspended over white cotton trench coat
Photo 1&2: Maison Margiela
Make-up by Pat McGrath
Hair by Eugene Souleiman
Photo 4: W Magazine
Photo by Edward Enninful
Model: Anya Taylor
Hair by Eugene Souleiman
Make-up by Val Garland
Photo 5: V Magazine
Photo by Nick Knight
Styling by Katy England
Makeup by Lisa Eldridge
Photo 6: ID Magazine
Photo by Tim Walker
Styling by Grace Coddington
Make-up by Pat McGrath
Hair by Eugene Souleiman
Sky Flow Sculpture Quietude
The Sky Flow sculpture takes the concept of the Flow series into new territory as a large scale, stand-alone sculpture. Silhouetted against the ever-changing sky, the sculpture appears to change colour from pink to dark crimson, depending upon the strength and direction of the sunlight. The piece is constructed from a steel sub-structure and a large 80ft x 20ft custom made recycled HDPE net, shaped through a process of compressing and folding the material into form.
Sky Flow Sculpture Quietude
Recycled HDPE and steel
2.5m x 1m x 5m
Sacred Giant
Following my ongoing support for The Elephant Family charity this piece was created for the historic Ivory Burn at the Giants Club Summit in Kenya, 2016 where over 120 tonnes of ivory and 1.5 tonnes of rhino horn was burned. The summit brought together several African presidents, numerous conservation experts, eminent corporate leaders, high-profile philanthropists and Hollywood figures to work towards the goal of developing a more cohesive, continent-wide response to the poaching of elephants and the trade in illegal-wildlife trophies.
For more in formation about Elephant Family please visit: https://elephant-family.org/
Fashion Magazine 40th Anniversary Cover
Tulle Portrait of Amber Whitcomb for the cover of the Anniversary issue, auctioned to raise funds for the Ryerson University’s School of Fashion programme.
Tulle Portrait
Tulle on Canvas
70cm x 90cm
Expansion
Expansion takes the form of an optical illusion evoking the power of human energy and potential, beyond the physical body. The piece is constructed from individual layers of steel mesh.
Powder coated steel
2.4m x 2.3m x 30cm
Photograph: Shaman Durek by Nick Hopper
Entwined
Wedding Sculpture and Installation
Two translucent white ribbons each form a face as if fleeting souls taking physical form. Flowing from each profile, the two ribbons meander over branches, bushes and around trees to lead guests into the forest where the ribbons form the ceremonial wedding arch.
Powder coated steel wire and mesh
4m x 6m
Photography: Lilli Waters and James Alexander
