feature: Jose Michelsen

After scrolling through Jose Michelsen's work, I was quite surprised when I finally came across his headshot. Staring back at me was the face of a young man I'd never have guessed could communicate the spiritual maturity apparent in the work I'd just been contemplating so intensely. His figure work is erotic and provocative and he excels uniquely at evoking an undeniable sense of internal struggle. The aggressive way he often connects brush to surface evokes a weathered, ethereal scarring that is almost heart-breaking. In depicting a connection between two figures, his erratic brush work gives way to fluid fastenings that manage to suggest a surprisingly intense emotional intercourse that transcends physical penetration.

Michelsen was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, in an environment he describes as "conservative and closed-minded." It's only fitting then, that he developed such a distinct ability to portray the explosive potential of suppressed sexual energy so successfully, and so early in his career.

"My upbringing led me to build up a lot of pressure related to my diverging sexuality. Now, that pressure explodes through my art. I guess a lot of energy and very strong emotions come from that repression that I grew up with."

Much of his hot-blooded work is inspired by the homo-erotic feeds flooding his social media accounts, as well as his affinity for good old-fashioned gay porn.

When asked about his process, he reflects, "My first step is to feel. I look at my archive of body images to see what makes me feel something powerful and from there I start to create my work. Without feelings, it is just boring to work."

Michelsen is currently working on a new series that involves movement, and photographic effects related to movement, in an attempt to connect more deeply with the spiritual dimension of the body.

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Jose Michelsen

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All work appears courtesy of the artist.

instagram :: @jose.michelsen

website :: josemichelsen.com