interview

In what is often dubbed a genre of the anti-still life, Kamil Kukla explores today’s global visual culture oversaturated with sex and maximalism on his own terms. In his works we encounter disjointed body parts, wide brush strokes and peculiar, colorful landscapes that provoke our all-too-desensitized frames of reference.

The newest collection by the international brand Sample-cm, The GrandBassin 2021 Club, embraces and destigmatizes female anger and bodily assertivity in traditionally male-dominated sports. With their 'full-contact' concept, they fly under the colours of confidence, sustainability, rebellion, expression and intersectional feminism.

Anya Miroshnichenko’s faceless female bodies challenge the typical “reading” of such “objects”. The Moscow-based artist shifts the question of representation into one of self-perception without losing the focus on family memory and intimacy.

Ann-Maj Risgaard, a fashion design student at the Swedish School of Textiles, creates debatably wearable objects that pose cumbersome burdens for their wearers. Their importance lies not in the aesthetic but in the somatic, bodily experience they cause.

BORA creates 3D artworks that seem to hang in the fragile balance between solidity and aether. These slippery bodies are like any other: unique, embodied, and craving intimacy. Let us explore Bora’s world to slow down and reconnect with our physicality.

Czech Jewellery maker Ondřej Stára takes us on a tongue-in-cheek, gamified journey of a stark naked hero searching for magic artifacts in the woods. These include a bejewelled jockstrap, a roman sword bearing emojis, a flippable ring with various phallic symbols and more. Follow the hero's journey in a video in the article and learn more about him in the interview with the artist.

3D ragdolls, uncanny connections and layered textures: Nicoleta Mureș creates a reflection of our technologized era in her art, and in this SWARM MAG interview goes into depth about her technique and inspirations with a selection of her recent surreal collages and animations.

A Polish native relocated to London, a multidisciplinary artist leaning predominantly towards fashion design, Joanna Prażmo kindly gave us a piece of her mind in an exclusive interview. Her works carry a transparent, oozing, organic feel – like a freshly vacant butterfly pupa.

“Things that we don't see, master or know about worry us.” Brussels-based Naomi Gilon's artistic practice took a sharp turn after she discovered ceramics. The gnarly results of this transformational run-in draw on car tuning, science fiction, monsters or pop culture.

We invite you to enjoy an exclusive interview with versatile and multimedia Italian artist Ilaria Demo De Lorenzi notable for her jewellery pieces, reminiscent of fleeting moments frozen in gold.

Leafing in an ancient tome of forbidden magic, the blackish paintings seem to move… in this world, Michal Kocourek gathers the inspiration which then haunts his dreams. Unafraid of the consequences, he conjures the demons in his artworks, taming them as pawns into board games and exhibitions.

Kyrgyz visual artist Alexey Shahov creates monochrome scenes of abstract lines and objects stripped to their peculiar essence. In his interview for SWARM MAG he sheds some light on the inspirations and processes that lead to his poignant artworks where shapes and figures blend into uncanny assemblages.

With influences ranging from early board games to old school metal album covers, California-based visual artist Josh Freydkis conjures up images from a vivid and sinister fantasy world with a magic touch of playfulness and nostalgia.

“Loved clothes last.” Knit fashion designer Valeriya Olkhova leaves space for “accidents” and tweaks the hand-knitting machine's settings to put it out of its comfort zone to produce one-of-a-kind, raw apparel. Enjoy an exclusive SWARM Mag interview detailing her work, the post-pandemic fashion world or personal philosophies.

“[My sword] would be very beautiful but harmless because I hate violence.” French illustrator and handpoke tattoo artist Marie Besse lays before us her linear, spiky and prodding visions resembling prickly vines and sparkly fata morganas.

In an exclusive SWARM Mag interview, illustrator Julia Sayapina talks dream logic, the cultural significance of sharing tales in Russia, and introduces us to her series of graphic works dedicated to the female image in cinema and songwriting.

“Maybe it's the need for mystery and spirituality or maybe it just looks good.” Jakub Hrdlička, working under the artistic pseudonym of Hrzla, shares in an exclusive interview for SWARM Mag his creative processes, inspirations, and the outlook on the recent gradual resurrection of medieval themes in art.

The sharp, defined and technically demanding silhouettes of the dark, mostly black leather garments created by Alexandru Floarea are reminiscent of a twisted monarchy from a distant dystopian future. Enjoy an exclusive SWARM Mag interview.

“I prefer an imperfect but lively drawing.” Belgian native Mathieu Van Assche is adding more (perhaps mythical and ritualistic) layers of meaning to already loaded historical photographs and old masters' paintings.

Via linear hand embroidery, Czech artist Tereza Melková unleashes swarms of dancing skeletons and devils, dragons, girls turning into trees, and mythical creatures onto second-hand sweaters and hoodies.