feature: elo eden
elo eden's work is fantastic in every sense of the word. His colorful portraits demonstrate a delight in contradictions: invitingly hideous, fancifully grim. It's his talent for capturing a broad tonal spectrum in a single image that first caught my eye. Though his work presents itself as akin to a fashion editorial, it digs so much deeper. He wields the uncanny ability to connect the superficial with the painfully deep in a visually arresting, almost ostentatious way. And it's all so goddamn pretty.
(dandy:) Tell us about your work.
(elo eden:) I used to play with dolls to tell my stories, now i have real life models to illustrate them. Creating, for me, is therapeutic. My portraits are all pieces of me. They are the different stages of what I experienced, felt, or wanted to be, at certain points in my life. I, myself, and a lot of other boys I know are terrible at expressing what we feel with words. There’s envy, angst, loneliness, suppressed rage, self-hatred, fear of abandonment… I apply color digitally to these pictures that are supposed to represent bruises, blood, and makeup. It’s all mixed in my mind the same way it appears mixed in my art. Color can tell so many stories.
What is your relationship to the queer community ?
Well, there’s my community, and the community. I’m very lucky to have found a second family few years ago composed of gay guys of different ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities. It’s so easy being with them. I feel safe, understood- it’s my little sanctuary really. It allowed me to grow up and find new role models. I know that they are there for me, and me for them. It’s very authentic. all of them are a part of me now, i can feel it. As far as the LGBTQ+ community, I’m very happy that it exists and gets stronger everyday. A lot of people have interesting stories- I like the ups and downs and I try to represent both in my art which is always evolving. After the pandemic, I am excited to get back to queer parties, so I can find new muses and start new projects.
Where are you from and how do you feel that has that impacted your work ?
I am from France. Masculinity here is viewed a bit differently than in other countries. Here we do “la bise” which is just a quick peck on the cheek. Girls do it, guys do it. Guys jokingly flirt with each other sometimes without the need to say “no homo.” It’s a bit more open here. I think that impacts my work in that I don’t see sensuality linked directly to sexuality, to me it’s a prism through which some people are better able to express themselves.
What is your favorite color?
My favorite color is purple because it is a mix between red or pink and blue. To me, pink is a soft, nurturing, fleshy, sensual tone. Blue is like dream matter; it evokes the sky, the sea, the fertile imagination. Purple is noble and edgy. It is the creative fantasy.
What indulgence do you have an uncommon affinity for?
Most things that bring me instant pleasure or make me excited. The problem is that they are short term guilty pleasures. In the long run they can damage your body or your mind. Your teeth are falling out, you lose weight, it’s hard to focus, you become depressed. I often try to illustrate some of these types of addictions in my art.
What is the first step in your process?
I have an image in mind that’s linked to an emotion I have felt, so I try to recreate it to the best of my ability with the material that I have, and the people who are willing to pose for me. When the models come, I put makeup on them, shoot them with my camera. Then I do the editing, which i very much enjoy because that’s when the magic happens
What are you working on now?
I take photographs, I make drawings and paintings, and i like to write. Right now i’m working on finishing a book, and creating new images. I started doing the photography about a year ago, and i can’t wait to share them.
more work in the dandy gallery
elo eden
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All work appears courtesy of the artist.
instagram: @elo_eden
