Frederik Heyman is one of those people with a really unique vision, who is able to use that to create clever visual masterpieces. Based in Antwerp, Belgium, Frederik has studied graphic design and illustration, as well as doing a degree in photography. Now he’s been published in Vogue, L’ OFFICIEL Paris and Bullet magazine NY. He’s one to watch out for.
Your work has an obvious sense of theatrical construction that really defines your style, where did this come from?
It’s an ongoing process over the last few years. It’s a language I developed, always willing to perfectionize more and more. Tell more and more. Fuck the details more and more. It became my biggest lover. The highest point of satisfaction is to set up constructions as a result from many overlapping ideas in my head.
What is it that draws you to aliens, myths and witchcraft within your images?
Haha, I don’t see it as extra terrestrial elements. It’s more a visual world that inspires me to translate the creatures that occupy and amuse my head.
Where did the inspiration come from for your image ‘how to resurrect a loved one from death for at least 4 seconds rooftop’?
That was a more tragic story. It’s an image from the series: the Rooftop Project. One rooftop was made to perform as the main graphic element in a series of images. One rooftop; many divergent actions that can take place underneath it. The last image of the series was the resurrection-one. It was based on the loss of a person I had experienced. The sad and comforting idea that there might be a chance by constructing an installation to cheat death and stretch the last moment of a beloved one, even if it was only for a few moments longer.
Do you believe in life after death?
Yes
How do you want your work to be received?
I want it to reflect a visual belief I have. An never-ending balance experiment in good/bad taste and concept. I never create my personal work in order for a certain audience to accept it. That’s what commissioned work is for.
My personal works are the outcome of sums in my head. No boundaries, only my world. It’s ever satisfying to find people appreciating that.
What’s pushing you to create new work?
I get triggered by the urge of creating images that are completely mine. Not for a client. I always carry this folder in which I keep writing and writing and overlapping ideas. Usually after a client-job this bursts and I start building it.
What are you looking forwards to in the New Year?
I’ve heard something about the salutary powers of sleep
How has you’re style developed since you started?
A lot. As a student, I used to have a very graphical straight forward-lightning approach on my images. I wanted to communicate an idea, that was the main focus. Lightning needed to be flat and reveal/show every detail.
It evolved since then into a more widespread language. I use more media, mould the light more and can purify more. I aim for a minimal digital edit. All should be in there. As it is, or how it should be.
Do you favour a particular medium?
Love the fastness of photography,
I love the individuality of drawing.
Are there other mediums you’d like to explore?
I’Yeam focusing more and more on video nowadays. I can purify the narrative part. 