Dubbed ‘England’s most eccentric dresser’ by Vogue, Daniel Lismore is a walking and talking sculpture. From haute couture to thrifted finds and vintage fabrics, body adornment using fashion and all kinds of curiosities are at the heart of his art.

Coventry-born Daniel is bringing his work home with Be Yourself; Everyone Else Is Already Taken, an exhibition including a major installation of 50 3D sculptures inspired by the Terracotta Army. Joining his artworks are archives and other personal items, which fully explore his journey from budding child artist to living as his true self today.

Daniel is celebrating 20 years as a living sculpture.

“I don’t think there’s a better canvas than your own body,” he says. “We might choose pieces of wood, old walls or even fabric to make art, but I do all that work on my own body. It’s a bit of a mix between painting a portrait and sculpting. A look for that day is kind of like a self-portrait - and I can do them day after day throughout the year. I mean, I take a day off sometimes… But that’s the best way I can explain what I do.”

Be Yourself; Everyone Else Is Already Taken is a love letter to our sense of self and individuality.

“As much as the show has my name and my image, it’s about everyone else I’ve met while I’ve travelled the world. It’s about the people I’ve encountered in my life, the people I’ve worked with and humanity as a whole. It’s a look at us as a species and what we adorn ourselves with.”

Daniel is delighted to be making his UK debut in his home town: “I’m honoured that Coventry is welcoming me back for this. I was thinking about trying to do it in London, but it’s better to bring it home where everything started. In the show, we’re going to tell the whole story of me and my work, which I’ve never really told before. So even my house, my archives and everything will be moving into the museum. The space itself is important too, as the first art gallery I ever came to as a kid. I think art galleries are so important for young people to come to, even if their parents are sceptical. Leave the parents at home if they’re going to moan about it! I was very lucky to be surrounded by beautiful art at home because my dad was an antiques dealer, but I didn’t really understand concepts of art. At school I was always told I was a bad painter by teachers, but then I saw sculptures and thought, ‘Wow’. That really sparked something in me and was the start of my journey. 

“I’m going to tell the story of what happened to me: a young person from Coventry who had a terrible time before moving away and then coming home. It’s about being able to be accepted finally. I think it’s sadly part of us Brits that great designers and artists had to go away and then come back, which is something I think we should still be talking about. Things have changed for the better. Whereas museums were very particular on what they’d exhibit, now things are really progressing.”

While part of that progress is down to initiatives like Coventry City of Culture 2021, Daniel believes activism must also inform art itself: “I’ve spent most of the last two years in Coventry. I’ve seen what they’ve done, and they’ve really changed the conversations around culture. As a nation, I think we’re very divided. But I’ve seen people criticise things and then go into these cultural spaces, shows or exhibitions and be completely blown away. Art is very powerful and everyone has their own opinion on it, but when you’re not ignorant and actually go and see it, rather than just sitting on Facebook moaning about it, you see things very differently.

“In the same way, I have the responsibility as an artist to make sure my work says something. It can’t just stand there and look pretty. It also, strangely, gives me access to some really important people, just by existing in the space. I’m able to speak to activists, politicians and, on the odd occasion, end up in a room with a pretty powerful person; not on purpose, but things happen from that.”

As well as being a living sculpture himself, Daniel has designed costumes for English National Opera and dressed the likes of Nicki Minaj, Cara Delevingne and Boy George.

“I made three coats for Mariah Carey, of which she kept two and I’ve got one. I turned that into part of a sculpture because I wore it afterwards, so it’s not being shown here just as the coat itself. I always repurpose things to give them a new life and a new existence.” 

So what message does Daniel want to pass on to people who’re thinking about checking out his show?

“Come with an open mind because you might be surprised. You might hate it. But, equally, you might love it. What I like about this show travelling the world is that at least 100,000 people must’ve gone through it; from that, I’ve had about three really negative comments. But they were the ones I found fascinating, so I started conversations with those people and we became friends! Who knew…

“Even if you don’t believe in art and think it’s all rubbish, give yourself the day to try it out. It’s those people who need to experience it the most. Art lovers might be freedom-fighters, but you can’t always preach to the converted. You never know what you’ll see or be affected by. You might just get inspired!

“My show isn’t for me anymore. I’ve had my time with it already, so it’s for the public now. I’ve been offered a fortune from museums and private collectors all over the world for my sculptures, but I won’t sell them. I’ve kept this for the people.”

Be Yourself; Everyone Else Is Already Taken shows at Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, from Friday 18 February to Sunday 26 June.