Daniel Lismore: Be Yourself, Everyone Else Is Already Taken At The Herbert

On Monday I took my first visit to the Herbert Gallery in Coventry. The reason for my visit was to see the much anticipated first exhibition by the Coventry born designer, artist and activist Daniel Lismore. Entitled ‘Be Yourself, Everyone else is taken’, this first exhibition features more than 50 life size sculptures modelled on Daniel, featuring his weird, wonderful, intricate designs, including designs worn by the likes of Naomi Campbell, and created for the English National Opera.

The collection is split over many rooms, with one of the instillations taking inspiration from the Terracotta Army, whilst other rooms have theatrical designs, or work inspired heavily by Pop Art and Andy Warhol. As an activist, the LGBT flag is inspiration for another model, whilst Charles and Diana, Kate Moss, Boy George and Marilyn Monroe all take their place in different guises.

There are elements of punk, of Pop Art, of medieval armour, of haute couture, of cabaret, of Elizabethan costume, literally a mash up of all elements of pop culture, but with history thrown into the mix. Every model sparkles incandescently, due to the use of vintage costume and paste jewellery, many found in charity shops and junk stores, along with more modern pieces like the H&M collaboration. Designer pieces from the likes of Alexander McQueen are teamed with everyday items like tea towels and Campbell Soup cans. This ensures that you need to look and look again at each model, you will keep seeing something new, something vibrant, something wonderful. Daniel is a walking work of art, and the models, with the face of the artist, show why.

Edward Enninful, the Editor of British Vogue, has said of Daniel Lismore, who has graced the magazine’s hallowed pages:-

Daniel’s looks are fearless mashups of haute couture, salvage, religious paraphernalia, and club culture. He is one of the few originals of his generation.

I couldn’t agree more, go and see this exhibition, and then go and see it again. I could frankly go every day of the week and never be bored.