Elen Alien

Elen Alien was born in Ukraine in 1990. Her early years were dedicated to honing her artistic skills and nurturing her passion at art school. Even during her formative years, she participated in exhibitions and competitions, capturing the attention of art professionals and earning multiple awards and accolades.

Driven by a desire to explore new avenues of artistic expression, Elen pursued a master’s degree in architecture. While completing her diploma, she discovered her affinity for interior design. Embracing an eclectic practice, she seamlessly blended interior architecture, graphic design, art, and illustration.

After a decade dedicated to experimentation, Elen Alien embraced a nomadic lifestyle, embarking on a transformative journey. In 2020, she found herself living in Denmark, immersing herself in new cultures and surroundings that nurtured her artistic sensibilities and eco-friendly approach. The following year, she relocated to Sweden, where she pursued further education in art projects and decided to devote herself to contemporary art. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in her artistic career. After completing her education in Stockholm, she moved to Oslo, Norway, where she fully dedicated herself to her artistic practice. In 2023, Elen participated in the Glogauair art residency in Berlin, which fostered inspiration and provided a vibrant environment for her creative endeavors.

Currently, Elen lives and works in London. Her artistry is characterized by a profound exploration of the balance between the digital and natural worlds, sparking dialogue about our relationship with the ever-evolving technological landscape. As she continues to evolve as an artist and explore the world, her works transcend borders and captivate a global audience.


Artist Statement

Elen Alien is a London-based artist who employs a diverse range of mediums, including sculpture, digital art, oil painting, and herbaria. Her practice transcends the boundaries between nature, technology, and human identity. Elen's art is an emotional response to the events and moods of the surrounding world. It is her way of digesting information, surviving change, and better understanding herself. Inspired by personal experiences, psychoanalytic and philosophical theories, places, and materials around her, her work invites viewers to contemplate their inner worlds. The human body is a recurring motif in her art, symbolizing vulnerability, introspection, and interconnectedness.

Currently, Elen collaborates with a team of non-human actors—AI and Nature—on the "phygital" (combining physical and digital art forms) project The Garden of Transcendence. This project seeks to explore the dynamics and evolution of our relationships with nature and technology, sparking conversations about new types of interaction. The project portrays humanity's balancing act between natural and digital environments as their only connecting point. Elen Alien’s work provokes introspection and appreciation for the complexities of the human condition, ultimately encouraging a conscious rethinking of our position in the ever-evolving world and helping us perceive the interconnectedness of all existence.


http://www.elenalien.com/

What initially drew you to art?

I've been captivated by the essence of art for as long as I can remember. It was almost instinctual for me to realize my destiny as an artist from a very young age. My fascination with humanity has been a constant thread throughout my life—from my earliest attempt at portraiture, depicting Jesus at the tender age of three, to capturing the essence of circus acrobats and beyond. Utilizing found objects and natural materials has been an innate part of my creative process since childhood—transforming cookie boxes and beach stones into vessels of expression. As I matured, my curiosity led me to explore the avant-garde, embracing the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary art. Three decades on, my passion for art remains as steadfast as ever.


What elements of your life have ended up becoming a part of your art?

My life seamlessly intertwines with my artistry. Rejecting the confines of categorization, I view every individual, object, and creature as integral components of a unified whole. Embracing a nomadic lifestyle in recent years has been transformative, allowing me to immerse myself in diverse cultures and landscapes. This journey has underscored the fluidity of identity, blurring the lines between physical and virtual existence. In my latest works, I delve into the psychology of this phenomenon, exploring the intricate interplay between our lived experiences and digital personas.


What about your practice do you find the most fulfilling and/or energizing?

The act of painting with oils is akin to a transcendental experience for me. Each brushstroke becomes a meditation, grounding me in the present moment and igniting a profound sense of vitality. From conceptualization to execution, every stage of the artistic process fuels my creative energy. The transformative power of bringing ephemeral ideas to tangible fruition is unparalleled. Moreover, the resonance of my work with collectors reaffirms the profound impact art can have on individuals' lives.


Tell us about your experience getting to where you are now. What has been the most important thing you’ve learned?

Reflecting on my artistic journey, I’ve come to embrace the notion that learning is a perpetual pursuit. Like the characters in Alice in Wonderland, progress necessitates perpetual motion. By continually honing my craft and expanding my knowledge, I’ve witnessed a profound evolution in the quality and depth of my artistic expression. This journey has underscored the symbiotic relationship between theory and practice, while the support of my artistic community has been instrumental in my growth and development.


How has ‘community’ impacted your artistic practice?

The influence of community on my artistic practice cannot be overstated. It has been a gradual realization, but one that has profoundly shaped my approach to artistry. Networking has yielded tangible results, from serendipitous encounters at social gatherings to transformative collaborations with curators. Recognizing the value of fostering connections, I actively seek opportunities to facilitate meaningful interactions within my artistic circle. Whether supporting mentors, championing fellow artists, or forging new alliances, I believe that collaboration is essential for fostering a vibrant and dynamic creative ecosystem.