b. 1977, UK; lives and works in London
2013 Elected as a Royal Academician
1999-01 Slade School of Art, London, MFA
1996-99 Ruskin School of Art, Oxford, BA
Imbued with an appearance of scientific rationality, Conrad Shawcross’ sculptures explore subjects that lie on the borders of geometry and philosophy, physics and metaphysics. Inspired by different technologies, the artist’s structures may retain in appearance the authority of machines — yet, they remain enigmatic, filled with paradox and wonder.
Conrad Shawcross, regarded for his complex and graceful mechanical sculptures, has exhibited nationally and internationally in the UK, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Greece and the United States, including solo exhibitions at Victoria Miro, London (2018); Wadsworth Atheneum, Connecticut, (2018); Ivorypress, Spain (2016); Tucci Russo Studio per l’Arte Contemporanea, Italy (2016); The Peninsula Hong Kong (2016); Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London (2015); The New Art Centre, Wiltshire, UK (2015); ARTMIA Foundation, Beijing (2014); MUDAM, Luxembourg (2012); and the National Science Museum, London (2011-12).
Public commissions include Paradigm, commissioned by Artwise for the Francis Crick Institute (2016); The Optic Cloak, Greenwich Peninsula (2016); and the 2017 HS1 Terrace Wires commission, installed temporarily at St Pancras Railway Station. He was selected as one of nine artists to complete a permanent public art commission for stations on the new Elizabeth line, selected by Crossrail and the City of London, at Liverpool Street Station.