Luxury goods going up in flames might grab headlines, but there’s an artist whose work truly ignites controversy and conversation. That artist is Tyler Shields, whose boundary–pushing artwork has made him one of America’s most talked about contemporary artists.
From becoming the youngest living artist to auction at Sotheby’s to drawing record–breaking crowds at his shows, Shields continues to surprise and captivate audiences worldwide. His latest exhibition, “Homecoming,” which displays some of his most defining pieces from his career, is just the latest collection to do just that.
To better understand the art of destruction and the man behind some of the art world’s most provocative pieces of late, Arabian Business Traveller sat down with Shields, who shared his past, present, and future art plans.
The risks and rewards of playing with fire
It’s surprising to think that demolishing a Rolls–Royce demands practice, precision, and expertise, but maybe that’s what sets accidental destruction apart from artistry.
Tyler Shields’ “Indulgence” series, a collection that he started in his earlier days as an artist, saw him take a vintage Rolls Royce Silver Shadow and a RED Dragon camera to the Mojave Desert with a single goal in mind — to detonate it and turn it into one of his works. Given that the piece remains one of his most infamous, it’s safe to say that Shields’ not only succeeded, but mastered the art form. When asked about the iconic piece, Shields explained,
“You go down this rabbit hole, thinking “I’ve never photographed a 40–foot explosion before. What would that be like? What camera should I use?”, because you can’t really practice shooting an explosion that big. Otherwise, you’re paying for the explosion”
His dedication to capturing the perfect photograph is quite impressive, revealing that he would go to extreme lengths, which included blindfolding himself to hear the sound of a match being struck and then capturing the exact moment it ignited. Each photo is meticulously planned and executed with purpose, reflecting his vision and fearlessness.
The story behind the Magnum PI Ferrari
For those unfamiliar with his work, it is worth noting that he has tapped into many themes, which often feature Hollywood legends and models — some of which have been captured running from planes, while others have been shot holding Hermes Birkin handbags that have been set ablaze.
“I see the photo finished before I take them. When I have an idea, it’s already in my head. I’ve decided on it, and I won’t give up until it’s done,” Shields explains of his artistic process.
Given that his latest collection, “Homecoming,” featured a fire– struck Magnum PI Ferrari, we feel that it is safe to say that fire and Shields go hand in hand.
“After I shot the Rolls Royce, I didn’t think I was going to set a Ferrari on fire one day. However, as my 40th Birthday came around, I thought it would be really fun if we blew up a Ferrari or set it on fire. There’s a joke that when you turn 40, you buy yourself a Ferrari —right? but I thought it would be funny if I got one and destroyed it instead.”
When further questioned on the shot, which has gone on to become one of his most celebrated and controversial pieces to date, Shields reveals that capturing it was far from easy, as he had just eight seconds to shoot it before the vintage Ferrari was engulfed by smoke — talk about the importance of precision and planning.
Thoughts on likability
You’d think that destroying treasures that many deem valuable would impact his likeability. Shields, however, isn’t too concerned.
“We live in a society of likes, and everything is predicated on how many likes you can get. But the most famous images and movies are polarising — if you only make things for people that “like” you, you will never make anything interesting.”
Going back to likability, Shields’ love of burning luxury goods has sparked heated criticism among high–end luxury brands and audiences alike. Particularly his images that feature a Louis Vuitton trunk on fire and a $100,000 Birkin Handbag that was chain–sawed before being set alit.
The criticism received ranged from outrage to disrespect, which the artist deems is part of the process. In a 2012 interview with CUT, Shields stated that creating art often involves significant costs, similar to spending $100,000 on a photo shoot or $5 million on a film. To him, the items he destroys are simply inventory or props used to bring his vision to life, and not an attempt to be controversial.
“If I wanted to be controversial on purpose, that’d be very easy. Even if you try to do something controversial on purpose — no one cares. When you take a photograph, it’s not controversial to you, because you were there. My job is to take the picture. It’s the viewer’s job to decide what the picture means to them,” he explained.
Despite the controversy surrounding his work, art enthusiasts remain entranced by it. And, given that his work has been showcased in some of the world’s most prestigious and renowned galleries such as Sotheby’s and Tate Modern in London, it’s safe to say that Shields’ is doing something right. Additionally, some of his pieces sell for as much as $150,000 — a significant increase from the $75 that his first photograph sold for.
So, what does the future hold for Shields?
More destruction, of course.
“We will do something crazy and build something massive underwater. It will be very, very hard to do. But we’re going to give it a try,” he teased.
In the interim, Shields will be showcasing and hosting several exhibitions in the coming year, with stops to include New York, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, and London.
Dubai, however, could also be on the cards.
“I would love to do a gallery in Dubai. There is nothing planned yet, but Dubai is actually on my list of places that I want to come and do a show.”
Should the moment come, you can best believe that we will be among the first in line to see it. Who knows, we might even partake in setting one of our own treasures on fire in the name of art.
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