Shane Blaggard

Born and raised in Portsmouth in the south of England. An early childhood life event at the age of 5 showed me that the human condition was fallible. My infant self looked inwards at the safe harbor that was my imagination. A world i could control and express intimately without the need to include my peers.
I began to imagine and create worlds in my head and then on paper. I was never happy unless I was creating.
My teen years were spent mostly alone writing poetry, making sculptures and predominantly drawing cartoons. Cartoons were the perfect media to express my lack of faith in others. It has been noted that all my cartoon characters share a similar portrayal. They all look disheveled somehow. Addled by some addiction or worn by the ravages of time. They still look this way.
I traversed secondary school by mostly avoiding my peers by hiding in the art classrooms at break times. I should say at this point that i was completely comfortable and happy with the isolation.
A second traumatic life experience at the age of 21 involving an 18 month police trial caused me much pain and depression. During this time and some while after the court case (with which i won) Yaaay! I immersed myself into the world of creating Dance/tribal ...

A large body of my work sits on the outside walls of a twin courtyard within Harry Sotnick House. A dementia home in Fratton, Portsmouth. This is an ongoing project.

Arundel Court School Portsmouth.
A large spray can mural on the side of their new innovative library.

Paulsgrove Children Centre.
A large mural on the face and side of their buggy shed. Painting received and congratulated by the Mayor of Portsmouth.

Two Saints Homeless Shelter
A large spray can mural in the communal garden for the opening of the new revamped garden.