Viona ielegems - Visual Artist

BIOGRAPHY

Born in 1982, Viona Ielegems commenced her artistic endeavors and discovered her passion for the arts within the vibrant city of Antwerp.

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From the outset of her career, her photographic creations became a refuge—a reaction to the swift, commercial pace of the 21st century. Ielegems found inspiration in the gothic literature, poetry, and painters of the 19th-century romantic movement. Her early work is a tribute to this era—a dark, elegant, and melancholic reflection of a society where she felt out of place.

Her art bears a classic aesthetic, featuring muses adorned in otherworldly gowns and headdresses, often drawing from historical or ethnic influences. Whether set against a minimalistic, misty studio backdrop, within nature's embrace, or amid the walls of a historic edifice, she transforms her female models into enigmatic figures from forgotten legends or tales, inviting viewers to escape into an alternate realm.

Beyond her visual artistry, Ielegems ventured into meticulously crafted, conceptual events. These gatherings were immersive experiences, allowing guests to briefly depart from the confines of reality.

In a phase of personal redemption in 2015, she explored her artistic identity through a series of minimalistic, monochrome full-body self-portraits. This journey culminated in the solo exhibition "Kult!" Here, adorned solely by ritual masks or headdresses, her artworks emanate a juxtaposition of strength and vulnerability.

By 2019, she unveiled "Wunderkammer," a series comprising over 50 still-life photographic artworks. These pieces showcased common and exotic species of taxidermy objects hidden within the archives of a German natural history museum. Working diligently within these solitary spaces for two years, Ielegems crafted this unique series.

A firm believer in the sacred, creative energy of women, Ielegems doesn't seek to convey social or political critiques through her art. Instead, she embraces the healing and enchanting power of beauty. Though often tinged with obscurity, morbidity, and melancholy, her work exudes femininity, elegance, and refinement.

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