feature: Ego Rodriguez
Ego Rodriguez's work makes me feel nostalgic for a time I wasn't even alive. His elegant technique evokes lifestyle and fashion illustrations from the 1950s and 60s, which proves to be in fascinating contrast to his unmistakably contemporary queer subject matter. The line work is raw and color palette energetic, combining to bring his characters to life in a simple, but enchantingly vibrant way.
(dandy:)What is your relationship to the queer community?
(Rodriguez:) I grew up in an open-minded environment, but I never mingled in the gay scene until my 20s. Ever since I was a kid, I was called "weird" and "queer." While I couldn't make sense of it then, as an adult I'm proud of my queerness and learning more about it every day. I'm enjoying getting more involved, and taking part in the community.
Where are you from originally?
I'm from the seaside in northern Spain. I left 25 years ago, and I don't visit much. Spanish culture is still deeply affected by the morality and insincerity of Catholicism. Everyone says they don't really care what other people do. But they do- and they judge. It wasn't until later in my life that I came to realize how unhappy I was growing up. The frustration and sense of not belonging, that's what pushed me toward using creativity as an escape.
What are generally the most popular themes in your work?
People most enjoy the narrative illustrations. The ones that tell them a story they can relate to somehow. Mythology always seems to be a hit- and whenever I doodle any part of Henry Cavill's anatomy.
What is your favorite color?
I'm a big fan of the teal to aqua range of hues. The aquamarine family. You find it in plenty of my art, and also around my house and belongings. I have a thing for cerulean skin, too. It might be some unfulfilled fantasies about Nightcrawler from when I was a kid.
What would you say is unique about your creative process?
I don't like to wait for inspiration. I am always in active mode. I will get ideas from certain lighting in a movie I'm watching, or I get ideas from a book I'm reading. I tend to make a mental doodle and work on a rough sketch later. I'm in the shower, or cooking, and I'm sketching things out in my head.
What are you working on now and where can we see your work next?
At the moment I'm mostly working on new products and ideas for my shop. I'm also doing some digging into the world of NFTs. I have a couple of other projects as well, but I signed NDAs, so I'm unfortunately not allowed to talk about them.
more work in the dandy gallery
Ego Rodriguez
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All work appears courtesy of the artist.
website :: EgoRodriguez.com
instagram :: @EgoRod
twitter :: @EgoThEgo
