Dimitri Shabalin

Fashion editor of Numero and Interview magazines, Dimitri Shabalin had no plans to become an artisan until he came across a box of his childhood toys when he visited his mother on holiday in 2013. The feeling he experienced back then was akin to exploring a long-lost civilisation – and this is exactly what he seeks to recreate in his masks. "Each mask is born out of multiple symbols, pieces of memorabilia and associations, and I am fascinated to hear their owners talk about what they see in them. Sometimes they come up with the most whimsical images, and this is what I love: it means my art inspires soul-searching, creativity, curiosity and an exploring spirit." Dimitri still has his first mask, a precious memory of the start of his wonderful artistic journey.

Next of Europe Exhibition