interview

“I pull the symbolic scalp of their face. Then after modifications, I put it on”. Zbiok Czajkowski captures the shells and masks of people who were by chance caught in old photographs, and in his recent series “Scalps” he perfects his method with his mastery of airbrush. Read today’s interview to find out what lies beneath the surface.

Patrycia Pietka’s oil paintings dive into the intersections of spirituality, folklore, and female energy. Beyond her masterful form, the Polish artist, inspired by magical-realist and surrealist cinema, uses her works to capture the fleeting beauty of loved ones who passed away. Read today’s interview to learn about her process, inspirations and plans for the future.

Amy Dury turns vintage photography into contemporary art pieces. Taking inspiration from the troves of human archives both analogue and digital, the acclaimed British painter employs her signature bold contrasts to create works that balance a calming nostalgia with unsettling undertones. Read today’s extended interview to learn about Amy’s creative process, influences, and views on the art world!

Finnish designer Sofia llmonen crafts her garments with freedom in mind. Freedom to express, to play, freedom to dismantle and reassemble again. Her generous silhouettes with strong mediaeval and renaissance undertones feature elaborate fastening and lacing methods that allow for instant modification of the garment in the spirit of modularity sustainability. Explore her work brimming with possibilities.

Each element of the newest collection of Eva Immerzeel, from material and shape to the texture of the loosely knitted overlays, was carefully and consciously selected to convey “the conflicting feelings one can have when struggling with making connections” and hopeful glints of hope in reaching out. More in the interview below.

“When working on matter, you work on yourself.” Influenced by alchemy, religion, and psychology, Eliott Gamer’s animations and tattoo art are his favorite tool for introspection. Enter his world and let his work with the human body illuminate your journey to the center of the labyrinth inside.

Marlena Krawczyk’s REMEMBER collection stems from a physical place that, as she claims, has “taken root in her psyche”. The Polish fashion designer uses materials and porcelain-doll-like silhouettes that are meant to evoke the spirit of childhood spent in her grandparents’ home – a bit of a sensory journey to the nostalgia-tinged past. Plunge deeper in the interview below.

Sergiu Ciochină’s latest series of paintings explores human vulnerability and anxiety in his signature surrealist expressionism. The Moldovan artist’s realms come into being through his strokes of gentleness and empathy, and we invite you today to enter them and let your worries fade away.

István Máriás’ artworks feature playful juxtapositions interspersed with uncanny hues and unsettling elements. Drawing on mysticism and romanticism, the Romanian artist utilizes diverse mediums and surfaces, including ceramic tiles. Read today’s feature to learn about István’s creative history and process, and why he prefers analog expression over the digital.

Alejandro Spano created the Clash universe as a place of curious exploration – be it of limitations, identities, or humanity. Over time, he has come to invite others to co-create this world, and that is where Itar Pas was born, and the universe hasn’t stopped expanding since. Delve into Alejandro’s world today to find out what Itar Pas is after, and how virtual worlds help express the previously unimaginable.

Hanneke Rozemuller’s digital illustrations turn the common into the extraordinary on her mission to infuse daily life with magic. Admitting her affinity for depicting heads as a way of exploring the belief systems of other people, the Dutch artist relies on her intuition to unpack what lies beneath and spin it her way. Read today’s interview to learn about her creative trajectory, process, and views on art in a digital world.

Ziyu Ma (Taro), a dedicated fashion design major, became known for her bold, multi-layered, expansive and sculptural silhouettes, often stemming from various metaphysical and evolutionary theories. Her collections draw on a striking diversity of sources of inspiration, from the film “Annihilation”, Superstring Theory, and ancient Chinese Yangshao Banpo culture to the enigmatic bond between humans and marine life. Enjoy an exceptionally in-depth interview with the artist below.

Angie Hoffmeister’s works intertwine the worlds of visual art and literature, and illustrate how genuine craftsmanship easily trumps today’s digitalism. Read today’s interview to learn about her creative process and artistic trajectory, alongside the flexibility and warm humanity the German artist shows in delivering her unique, moody artworks for both literary classics and booktok favorites.

Fling open the whimsical gates of Polka Dot Town! The black-and-white yet colourful collection by designer Noémi Špontáková is awash in layers of dots of various diameters and placements, resulting in a lovely tingling sensory chaos for the viewers. Noémi describes her individual looks as a set of collectables, each chosen and styled with a specific model in mind.

Honeylambs Mission is back! Our previous feature on Ernesto Stewart and his singular project became SWARM Mag's historically most viewed article. We caught up with the artist two years later to learn what's new in his sanctuary for disfigured and mutated plushies, inhabited by the souls of the deceased.

Bessa’s playful compositions reflect the joy that illustrating gives her. In the acclaimed artist’s words, reality is boring, and her exaggerated pieces show a way out: do what you love the best you can, and turn the everyday into play. Read today’s interview for a deep dive into her creative journey, how she settled on vector art, and even how she decided on her alter ego.

“I strive to celebrate cultural diversity in a world quick to discriminate.” Currently Paris-based fashion, textile and knitwear designer Sofia Castellon presents her candy-hued but confronting and space-claiming sculptural visions. Sofia talked to Swarm about finding her creative path, “navigating the complexities of cultural identity”, why is knitting and incredible medium for storytelling and why the designer envisions a fruitful future for one of the world's oldest thread crafts, and more.

Tina Hrevušova has mastered the art of finding beauty in the moments of abject transformation. In exploring evolution in all its forms and angles, the interdisciplinary artist finds the borders of the known and improvises on what lies on the other side. Read today’s interview to learn about her artistic journey, recent exhibition, and why she chooses images over words.

“Every job throws you into a vortex of the unexpected.” Prague-based creative photography duo SHOTBY.US introduces a new photo series called “Sips”. Featuring vibrant colours, abstract amoebic shapes and bits of sweets, the pictures feel like examining specimen samples from a psychedelic pond under a microscope.

At first glance, Natálie Nepovímová's looks seem simplistic and stripped to the bone. The second glance, though, reveals sartorial mastery and clever structural and textural twists. Imbued with a touch of whimsy, these “working girl” variable and adjustable designs were created to not succumb to time.