9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 My day starts just like yours. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When I wake up in the morning, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I check my phone 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then I have a cup of coffee. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But then my day truly starts. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It may not be like yours because[br]I live my life as an artwork. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Picture yourself in a giant jewelry box 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with all the beautiful things[br]that you have ever seen in your life. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then imagine that your body is a canvas. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And on that canvas, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you have a mission to create a masterpiece 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 using the contents of your giant jewelry box. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Once you've created your masterpiece, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you might think, "Wow, I created that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is who I am today." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then you would pick up your housekeys, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 walk out the door into the real world, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 maybe take public transport[br]to the center of the town. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Possibly walk along the streets[br]or even go shopping. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That's my life every day. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When I walk out the door, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 these artworks are me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I am art. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I've lived as art my entire adult life. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Living as art is how I became myself. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was brought up in a small village[br]called Fillongley in England, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and it was last mentioned[br]in the "Domesday Book," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so that's the mentality. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was raised by my grandparents, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and they were antiques dealers. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So I grew up surrounded[br]by history and beautiful things. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I had the most amazing dress-up box. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So as you can imagine, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it started then. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I moved to London when I was 17[br]to become a model. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And then I went to study photography. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I wasn't really happy[br]with myself at the time, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so I was always looking for escapism. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I studied the works of David LaChappelle[br]and Steven Arnold, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 photographers who both curated[br]and created worlds 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that were mindblowing to me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So I decided one day to crossover[br]from the superficial fashion world 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to the superficial art world. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I decided to live my life as a work of art. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I spend hours, sometimes months,[br]making things. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 My go-to tool is a safety pin, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 like this -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 they're never big enough. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I use my fabrics time and time again, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so I recycle everything that I use. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When I get dressed I'm guided[br]by color, texture and shape. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I rarely have a theme. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I find beautiful objects[br]from all over the world 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I curate them into 3D tapestries[br]over a base layer 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that covers my whole body shape... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because I'm not very happy with my body. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I ask myself, "Should I take[br]something off 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or should I put something on?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 100 pieces maybe, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and sometiems I do that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I promise you it's not too uncomfortable -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 well, just a little -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I might have a safety pin[br]poking me sometimes 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when I'm having a conversation with you, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so I'll kind of go off -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It usually takes me about[br]20 minutes to get ready, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 which nobody every believes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's true -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 sometimes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So is my version of a t-shirt and jeans. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When I get dressed[br]I build like an architect. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I carefully place things[br]until I feel they belong. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then I get a lot of my ideas[br]from lucid dreaming. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I actually go to sleep to come up[br]with my ideas, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I've taught myself to wake up[br]to write them down. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I wear things until they fall apart, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then I give them a new life. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The gold outfit for example[br]is the outfit that I wore 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to the Houses of Parliament in London. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's made of armor, sequins and broken jewelry, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I was the first person[br]to wear armor to Parliament 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 since Oliver Cromwell banned it[br]in the 17th century. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Things don't need to be expensive[br]to be beautiful. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Try making outfits out of bin liners[br]or trash you found out on the street. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You never know, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 they might end up on the pages of Vogue. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There's over 6,000 pieces in my collection, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 ranging from 2,000-year-old Roman rings[br]to ancient Buddhist artifacts. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I believe in sharing what I do[br]and what I have with others, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so I decided to create an art exhibition, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 which is currently traveling[br]to museums around the world. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It contains and army of me -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 life-size scultptures as you can see behind me, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 they're here -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 they are my life, really. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They're 3D tapestries of my existence[br]as living as art. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They contain plastic crystals mixred with diamonds, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 beer cans and world silks all in one look. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I like the fact that the viewer[br]can never make the assumption 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of what's real and what's fake. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I find it important to explore and share[br]cultures through my works. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I use clothing as a means to investigate 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and appreciate people from all[br]over the world. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Sometimes people think I'm a performer[br]or a drag queen. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'm not. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Although my life appears[br]to be a performance, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it's not. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's very real. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 People respond to me as they would[br]any other type of artwork. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Many people are fascinated and engaged. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Some people walk around me,[br]staring, shy at first. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then they come up to me and they say[br]they love or absolutely hate what I do. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I sometimes respond and other times[br]I let the art talk for itself. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The most annoying thing in the world[br]is when people want to touch the artwork. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then I understand. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But like a lot of contemporary art, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 many people are dismissive. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Some people are critical, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 others are abusive. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I think it comes from[br]the fear of the different -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the unknown. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There are so many reactions to what I do, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I've just learnt not[br]to take them personally. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I've never lived[br]as Daniel Lismore the person. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I've lived as Daniel Lismore the artwork. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I've faced every obstacle as an artwork. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It can be hard. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Especially if your wardrobe takes up[br]a 40-foot container, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 three storage units 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and 30 boxes from IKEA -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and sometimes it can be very difficult[br]getting into cars, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and sometimes -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 well, this morning I didn't fit[br]through my bathroom door, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so that was a problem. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What does it mean to be yourself? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 People say it all the time, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but what does it truly mean? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And why does it matter? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 How does life change when you choose[br]to be unapolegetically yourself? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I've had to face struggles and triumphs[br]whilst living my life as art. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I've been put on private jets 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and flown around the world. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 My work's been displayed[br]in prestigous musuems 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I've had the opportunity -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that's my grandparents by the way -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 by the people that raised me -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and there I am -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Applause) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So I've been put on private jets, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 flown around the world 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and it's not been that easy 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because at times I've been homeless, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I've been spat at, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I've been abused, sometimes daily, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 bullied by entire life, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 rejected by countless individuals, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I've been stabbed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But what hurt the most was being put[br]on the "Worst Dressed" list. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It can be hard being yourself, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but I've found it's the best way. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There's the "Worst Dressed." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 As the quote goes, "Everyone else[br]is already taken," 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I've come to realize confidence[br]is a concept you can choose. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I've come to realize that authenticity[br]is necessary and it's powerful. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I've tried to spend time[br]being like other people. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It didn't work. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's a lot of hard work, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 not being yourself. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I have a few questions for you all. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Who are you? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 How many versions of you are there? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I have one final question: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 are you using them all[br]to your advantage? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In reality, everyone is capable[br]of creating their own masterpiece. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You should try it some time. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's quite fun. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Thank you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Applause and cheers)