Philippe Shangti, originally from Toulouse, discovered his passion for photography at the tender age of five when he first held a camera. By fourteen, he was building his own camera to understand its mechanics. This self-taught artist, is nowadays known for his curious, imaginative, and perfectionist nature.

Saint-Tropez, the artist’s muse-city

Philippe began his career in the symbolic Côte d'Azur region, settling in Saint-Tropez. This "muse-city" inspired his earliest rebellions and saw the birth of his initial creative concepts. Initially hired to create concepts for restaurants such as the prestigious Le Quai in 2006 and later L'Opéra Saint-Tropez, Shangti started by displaying his photography in these venues he designed, quickly gaining fame in the international jet-set. Coming from a modest background, his new life in the Côte D’Azur, marked by decadence and opulence, sparked his early creations like the iconic "No Cocaine Here" (2010) and the "Art Vs Drugs" series (2013), where he highlighted the hypocrisy of denial through images of superheroes engaging in drug use despite the slogan "No Cocaine Here."

The Atypical Messenger of Modern Times

Shangti continued to produce impactful photographic series, such as "No Prostitution Here" (2016), "No Pollution Here" (2017), « Beauté Sauvage" (2020), and « Seven » (2023). Each year, he crafts new art collections advocating for a cause, aiming to leave a lasting impression on the public with a blend of aesthetic appeal and depth. The artist then creates visuals that are more beautiful than violent, in order to convey his messages to a wider audience.
His approach often includes glamorous, sometimes erotic, depictions of female models, upon whom he manually inscribes powerful messages and his signature, artistic style for which he is the pioneer since 2009.

Among his notable works is the "Luxury Dinner" series, an evolving collection since 2015, highly sought after in the market. Initially unveiled with the "Luxury Overdose" collection, this series depicts extravagant dinners where guests indulge in luxury, critiquing consumerism and the human attraction to opulence. Since then, the artist has created various versions of this work, each iteration delving deeper into the previous ones.

The essential photographer in the art world

Over the years, Shangti's work has graced some of the most prestigious galleries and museums worldwide, from Paris to New York, including Monaco. His exhibitions, such as "The Future is Now" at the Venice Biennale in 2019 and later at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Carcassonne, have garnered acclaim. In 2021, he showcased over forty pieces at the Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Shangti has also collaborated with renowned brands and charities, creating unique artworks that blend creativity with social commitment. Notable collaborations include a charity piece with Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere in 2018, a creative partnership with DJ David Guetta in 2022 for the "Luxury Music Dinner," and various projects with Playboy Magazine's Art edition in 2021.

In March 2024, his "Luxury Fifth Dinner" (2023) fetched €54,000 at a Drouot Paris auction. In June 2024, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Carcassonne will host "Le musée dresse la table," featuring around twenty of Shangti's "Luxury Dinner" photographic works.