interview

Hélène L. Vaneukem’s works, bordering on sci-fi and fantasy, blend botanical observation and post-internet approaches in creating a canvas for your projections. Her captivating animations and illustrations are a journey of exploring the intimate topics of selfhood, developmental psychology and spirituality, and today’s interview dazzles with the French artist’s insight.

“The creation has the soul of the creator.” Juhee Park, a young knitwear designer currently residing and working in France, introduced us to her layered amorphous sprawling creatures that seem like they stepped out of her personal glamorous mythology.

At first glance, Iva Davidová’s paintings invite into a soft, ethereal dreamscape. Deeper under the surface however lies an exploration of societal paradoxes which have long prevented solidarity and compassion. Explore the Czech artist’s poetic works accompanied by unique personal insight.

“Always a combination of a material and a problem.” Via a captivating interview, Natalia Kopytko invites us to explore her world of childhood archeology, social exclusion and forgotten stories, whether manifested through ceramic sculptures reminiscent of knotted seaweed or installations of stuffed textile organic shapes spilling over into space.

Nadiia Pliamko’s 3D art captivates the eye with its complexity, which at the same time sings a harmonious, life-affirming song of awe and color. The Ukrainian artist combines classic approaches with contemporary tools to explore fairy tales, fashion, but also everyday life in her signature surreal symbolism. Explore her works accompanied by a dazzling interview that emanates her intellect and artistic maturity.

Exhibition/performance Caliban and the Witches by Hélène Hulak, Lux Miranda and Johanna Rocard, which recently took place in Prague's Berlínskej model Gallery, disentangles the archetype of the witch from its negative patriarchal connotations of a cunning, evil and manipulative woman and turns it into a collective rebellious, utopian and hopeful vision. Curated by Céline Sabari Poizat.

“I know I'm making beautiful things but self-doubt can be a powerful confidence killer.” Enter the world of Zdeněk Vacek, a high-end jeweller, goldsmith and co-founder of the envelope-pushing Zorya brand. In the below interview, Zdeněk introduces his new eponymous label, reveals what is his “seed of peace” when creating, and how jewellery can defy entrenched social rituals.

Today, Island Mint are releasing their new EP All Studium No Punctum and with it comes a shift in the band's sound. Today, Matyáš Adámek, the band's frontman, writer and producer talks to us about the release, his song-writing process, and upcoming trip to Australia.

Have you ever seen ceramic artworks that could stare into your soul? Well, now you have. The idiosyncratic, whimsical and vibrant vases and decorative sculptures by Italian ceramist and illustrator Jimmy D. Lanza are always ready for a face-off. Meet the artist whose creation sits on the living room coffee table of Chiara Ferragni.

Mio’s dedication to zero-waste fashion shows in every stitch she makes. Her garments in turn carry an air of innocence and fantasy, completely in line with Miochi’s aspiration to create a safe space, one where childhood nostalgia and sustainability combine into a greater whole.

Marie Deboissy’s self-professed love for caravans and the outdoors shows in her gentle, subtle paintings. The artist uses trailer park settings to explore themes of childhood and adolescence, a period when experience is intensified and imprinted into innocent souls, defining them irreversibly for all time. Join us today on this trip with Marie to learn about her creative approach and influences.

Is your life lacking softness, colours, fantastic and lush fairy-tale landscapes? Here's your antidote to gloom – enter the whimsically organic, plushy and summer-inspired creations by Anna Hieronymus. Enjoy the interview with the idiosyncratic fashion designer below.

Marcelo Pinel has long been exploring themes which fascinate the inner child. His works translate archetypes, mythologies and spirituality into vivid animations, actualizing how humans have expressed the inexpressible across millennia.

Nina Bachmann’s vivid paintings explore the veneers and facades of all we deem pleasant. The ecstatic expressions of her androgynous figures seem to carry an uncanny other side palpable only experientially, balancing momentary joy and looming withdrawal. Join us today for an interview with the artist and in asking whether intoxication is really as pleasurable and positive as it seems or just a disguise of human abysses.

Maisie Broome's fabrics and garments, created with the mesmerising technique of water transfer printing that is oh-so-satisfying to watch, arrest the imagination and make us feel like we're slowly sinking into a drippy, swirling, vibrant vortex. Enjoy an interview with the multidisciplinary artist and designer in which she shares her grounding processes, approaches to innovation or the importance of having the time to evolve.

Hungarian artist Liliána Pálfai explores a femininity she sees as innate to every woman through her illustrations. By employing vibrant colors and fairy-like aesthetics, this aspect is transposed on digital paper to invoke spiritual and ethereal atmospheres. Read today’s interview to learn about her creative approach, technique, and the border between art and therapy.

Zsófi Edőcs’s illustrations and animations explore a care-free, joyous realm of vivid colors and playful shapes, accompanied by her analog synthesizer. When exploring the medium of film however, the Hungarian artist’s works delve into the anxieties of adulting, yet retain her signature humorous touch.

The mesmerising videos of Dutch textile designer Joana Schneider cutting open sections of her rope tapestries, which then blossom into vibrant yarn flowers, gained a fair amount of virality across TikTok and Instagram. Besides these, Joana sculpts and exhibits richly coloured objects out of salvaged and recycled ropes using traditional techniques such as pluis netting and dolly knotting. Enjoy an interview with the inventive designer below.

Creepy Teepee is a unique Czech musical event disregarding genre boundaries, focusing instead on community, contemporary themes, and cutting-edge creative approaches by artists from all over the world. SWARM MAG sat down with one of its chief organizers Jakub Hošek to bring you a closer look at the event’s values, background, and 2023 lineup. There are still some last tickets available, so don’t miss it!

Kong Yue is one of the notable fashion designers who emerged from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium. His vibrant and statuesque creations are produced with the help of highly sustainable practices, which the designer developed himself, without compromising the desired aesthetic.