Artist

Conrad Shawcross RA

Photo: Daniel Alka

Conrad Shawcross RA, born in London in 1977, creates sculptures that are often monumental in scale, and appear imbued by scientific rationality. Shawcross’ work explores subjects 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 their raison d’être remains elusive, filled with paradox and wonder. Some have a melancholy feel, while others tend to the sublime, substituting the purely functional for phenomenological experience.

Shawcross’ work has been widely exhibited, nationally and internationally. Major commissions and works in the public realm include: ‘Manifold (Major Third) 5:4’, commissioned by The Crossrail Art Programme, Liverpool Street Elizabeth line station, Moorgate, London, UK (2023); ‘Escalations’, a solo exhibition at Chateau La Coste, Provence, France, where the artist’s monumental commission ‘Schism (Château La Coste)’ was on view; ‘Pioneering Places’, a major public art work for Ramsgate Royal Harbour, UK; and an exhibition to mark the 800th anniversary of Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire, UK (2020); ‘Bicameral’, a permanent commission for Chelsea Barracks, curated by Futurecity, London (2019); ‘Exploded Paradigm’, permanent commission, Comcast Technology Centre, Philadelphia, USA (2018); ‘The Interpretation of Movement (a 9:8 in blue)’, HS1 Terrace Wires commission in conjunction with The Royal Academy, St Pancras International station, London (on view during 2017); ‘The Optic Cloak’, permanent commission for The Energy Centre Greenwich Peninsula, London (2016); ‘Paradigm’, permanent commission for the Francis Crick Institute, London (2016); ‘Three Perpetual Chords’, permanent commission for Dulwich Park, London, curated and managed by the Contemporary Art Society for Southwark Council (2016).