Emir Shiro is a french based artist who sees every image as an opportunity to make dirtier. He’s worked with books, booties, and Beyonce, amassing an Instagram following of over 52,000 where he puts it all on display. We had a quickie together recently and this is what was revealed.
How do you take your coffee?
I like it short and intense. I’m a fan of espresso.
Have you always practised art or did this evolve from a hobby?
After graduating from a BAC in graphic communication, I studied for 3 years at “Ecole des Beaux Arts”. Constantly being immersed in an artistic environment means I’ve always evolved by choice.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
Today, my inspiration comes from censorship, the human body, and everything related to pop culture.
What’s your favourite piece and why?
My favorite piece is probably “Féline”. This is the piece that gave me my current exposure. It is also the visual that determined my overall graphic style, it is sensual, minimalist, funny and a little provoking.
Your artwork is quite provocative, something we have in common. Has it ever gotten you into trouble?
In the past, my work was oriented towards the illustration of “naked”. At the time Instagram closed my account. Collage as a technique has allowed me to talk about “nudity” in a way that plays with the censorship regulations of social networks.
How has Instagram helped build your brand?
I use Instagram and social networks as an art gallery. Internet is for me the best showcase I have today. Things are going very fast, much faster than in real life. I can say that I am a child of the internet and that my name was built thanks to that.
What’s your advice to other babes looking to promote their work online?
To stay true and to be productive.
Who should I get dirty with (talk to) next?
You should get dirty with Laetita Ky, she is an artist for whom I have a lot of admiration for. She makes sculptures with her own hair directly on her head, it’s incredible.
I like the sound of her.
X frank.