Artist Feature: Arden
Arden is a portrait photographer now based in Madrid. She focuses her work on the queer underground communities that she finds her and her camera in. Her images speak of love, freedom and authenticity. She aims to capture and show the magic, power, bravery and strong bond of an empowered community along with the diverse people that are a part of it.
Photography by Arden
Q: Can you share something you've learned from creating this body of work that would resonate with our community?
A: I have learned a lot thanks to my camera and our community. I learned how I want to live my life and who I am, and where my pictures are. I have learned to see the power inside every person, and to trust in love, community, freedom and friendship. I have learned to be proud of who we are.Q: Tell us more about your work process. Do you plan the image ahead of time or is it more improvisational?
Q: Tell us about your work process! Do you plan your images ahead or are you more improvisational?
A: It depends on the project. Sometimes I just want to photograph someone I saw or I met, their magic, essence, power so I do not plan a lot, just think of a place and I share a nice moment with the “model”. The shoot always comes with a sweet moment. In other occasions, I work around an idea or a concept, with one or more models that are powerful queer people so I create a team and we work together around the idea (make up, poses, set). Sometimes I just ask someone in the street if I can take a picture of them.
Photography by Arden
Q: What does being a feminist mean to you?
A: Being a feminist for me means to love yourself and your community. It means to be aware that I have the rights I have right now because of the strength and the blood of a lot of women from the past. It is being aware that we still have a lot to fight for and there are a lot of women around the world that do not have even basic rights. Feminism is to be wide open, to accept every woman in the world, to feel that I am part of something. It is to be true to myself and to not shut my mouth, and to not allow anyone to shut the mouth of my sisters.
Photography by Arden
Q: Do you have any upcoming events, exhibitions, or news you'd like to share?
A: It has been crazy months lately. I am so happy. I was taking some intimate pictures of queer people and couples for release this Pride month. I also produced a pride campaign for a big brand with my friends. I am doing a photo project with Jorge Fuenbuena picturing queer people in the street so we will launch a book in a few months. I did still photography for two short films for Erika Lust that are being released in the next few months. I moved recently to Madrid so I want to prepare an exhibition in some local art space after summer. A lot of beautiful things with beautiful people!
Follow @ardenqueardan and view more at arden-arden.com
