What if nature eventually evolves to be imprinted with labels, logos & leftovers of human design?

This is that vision.

La Shuks: What, Who, How and Why

The WHAT: Two and a half billion years after humanity’s existence, the Earth's environment has undergone a profound transformation, yet it serves as the ultimate testament to our creative spirit. Our languages, symbols, and designs we left behind- the accumulated expressions of centuries - have, over time gradually seeped into the earth... being tenderly absorbed by nature itself. Reclaimed and repurposed. Logos, graffiti, brands and vibrant imagery now course through the natural elements, germinating and fusing with the flora and fauna - and have been permanently woven into the wind, the leaves, and the very atmosphere, becoming the fertile fabric for the Earth's dazzling future nature.

The WHO: I am Katie, an artist who creates under the invented pseudonym La Shuks.

Though born in the UK, my formative years were profoundly shaped by a childhood spent in Korea, Hong Kong, and the Middle East. Now based back in the UK, I have spent the last decade exhibiting across the UK, Europe, and Asia.

The name 'La Shuks' is inspired by the ancient 'Inukshuks.' -stone markers used for centuries to communicate presence and to aid navigation in the wilderness of Arctic regions. This choice deliberately avoids a human name for my art world, to reflect my work's central theme 'Someone was here before.'

After growing up in the busy cities of Seoul, Hong Kong and Dubai, a series of visits to Canada opened my eyes to proper nature and quiet wilderness… and the concept for La Shuks started to form…

The HOW: My artistic process is a dynamic mix of contrasting techniques. I combine, blend and layer many different mediums—including paint textures, pencil, marker pens, lino print, screen print and photography.

A key element is the intense colour tension, achieved by pitting natural muted tones against bright, juicy, almost chemical colours …to illustrate the blend of natural and man made.

The WHY: The foundation of my work is rooted in my nomadic childhood, which instilled a profound appreciation for the power of the symbol over spoken language. Growing up constantly moving, I was often an outsider, which fueled a fascination with visual language. As a child viewing colourful Asian snack packaging, I saw foreign writing not as language, but as intriguing shapes, holding some mysterious treat inside. My art seeks to merge all languages into one borderless alphabet, stripping words of their specific meaning so they become pure decorative shapes and colours.

What if nature eventually evolves to be imprinted with labels, logos & leftovers of human design?

This is that vision.

La Shuks: What, Who, How and Why

Exhibitions