SUGAR RUSH

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.

Through a kaleidoscope of neon and flux, exiled artist Liza crafts comics defying tyranny and perception itself. Her work, shaped by face-blindness, asks: In a world of constant change, what truths can we recognize? With "Purple Empire," she paints rebellion in hues of human resilience. Read today’s feature to learn about her influences, creative process, and prosopagnosia.

Larissa Honsek is a creative director, 3D and clay artist, and author of the most adorable characters for kids and adults alike. In the interview with the creator below, we discuss how she keeps on being artistically amazed by her little daughter's “fresh brain”, her deep love of Berlin or how her multi-media style painstakingly emerged.

Sibel Balac’s playful illustrations and animations showcase her love for travel and intercultural dialogue. The German-Turkish artist plays with traditional notions of femininity to create new and affirmative interpretations of self-love and positive embodiment. Dive into today’s upbeat feature to learn about Sibel’s inspirations, ongoing projects, and future aspirations.

“We have watched many clubs and festivals opening in the Czech Republic and many fitness centres opening in Slovakia.” Nowadays, the Pohoda Festival near Trenčín, Slovakia, is an internationally acclaimed award-winning three-day event but its seeds were sown by the Slovak hardcore scene nearly three decades ago. Michal Kaščák, Pohoda’s original founding father, explains this growth, the deeply rooted activist side of the event, and how the festival has been championing an above-standard ethical, ecological and diversity framework since the first edition.

“It's impossible to get bored with ceramics.” Markéta Špundová is a Czech ceramics designer whose whimsical and delightfuly chaotic body of work overflows with cheeky humour and unexpected references. With the artist, we talked the malleable and mirroring nature of ceramics, balancing practicality and storytelling, jolting awake with sour candy, and more.

Digital illustration and animation were the missing pieces for Aliina Kauranne’s expression. In her works, the acclaimed Finnish artist conjures up sequences and images which explore identity and nostalgia, be it through surreal visions or absolutely pampered boots. Read today’s feature to learn about Aliina’s changing relationship to art, global brands, and the Spice Girls.

Aleksandra Bokova’s works are a vivid answer to a post-Soviet upbringing. In her 3D art and animations, the acclaimed Belarusian artist explores disturbing feelings and perplexing emotions to overcome them, creating pieces that are equally relatable and confusing. Explore today’s feature to learn about her inspirations, and how she uses cutting-edge technology to project her vision.

London-based fashion designer Tanya Liu's intricate creations could be simply pigeonholed as ultimate mermaidcore – but they spring from much deeper sources. The pearlescent gradients and gently billowing silhouettes are rooted in the relationship between natural biology and post-human science, and mechanisms of endless life cycles of certain species. In the interview, we talk the bell of the immortal jellyfish, pivotal influences, and the scent of lavender.

What started out as impressions of the external world became the expression of an inner one. Valeria Weerasinghe’s creative trajectory has brought her from illustration to animation, and the acclaimed artist uses it now to reconnect with her heritage. Lose yourself in the deep hues and bold colors of today’s feature, accompanied by an intimate interview with Valeria about her process and inspirations.

Don't let the cheery colours fool you, the whimsical world of Latvian illustrator and object maker Inga Ziemele is chock-full of adorable danger and seedy characters. In the interview, Inga talks using art to work through the themes of self-acceptance and anxiety, bringing joy into people's lives, and professes her love for deceitfully cute bunnies.

Chelsea Theilmann's vibrant tufted floral creations came about as a pandemic lockdown project and soon turned into a hallmark of her artistic practice, desired by many. Her joyful creations are intended to brighten up spaces and moods either as rugs or wall decor and some can be even worn as handbags. More in the interview below.

Ian Moore’s works not only satirize the absurd aspects of living in the 21st century, but are a visual treat on their own. The Bristol-based artist uses media ranging from digital illustration to murals and Riso printing to showcase his vibrant style and textures. Read today’s feature to learn about Ian’s insights into visual storytelling and why he uses 1-star TripAdvisor reviews as inspiration.

Charlie Mars’ works span illustration, animation and video, and his unique style inspired by a diverse life trajectory has led his works to attracting significant acclaim. Having taken a 15-year-long break from illustration, Charlie is now back and his newfound creative freedom shines through his glazed textures.

“In video games, nothing interested me more than character creation.” Since Polish fashion designer Maja Bączyńska founded her eponymous label, she's been gracing the world with her sometimes sleek, most of the time maximal and opulent silhouettes. In the interview, Bączyńska sheds light on her playful pieces featuring frilly and sculptural textures, unexpected twists and reference layers, and clever and uncompromising tailoring.