Yves de Brabander is a Belgian artist and filmmaker who blends fashion photography with fine art exploring identity, masculinity, spirituality and sexuality, with his work serving as a testament to the multifaceted nature of human desire.

After following his work online for quite some time, I had the pleasure of meeting him in Berlin in the summer of 2022, which marked the beginning of our friendship. A gentle soul and kinder spirit, Yves instantly became one of my favorite people.

Obsessive, fetishistic and unapologetically queer, Yves’ work often references religious imagery and classical masters like Caravaggio and El Greco, as well as arthouse cinema and film noir. His art is characterized by his mastery of light and composition, meticulous layering of translucent paper, and application of natural pigments such as carbon. Mixing traditional photography with Xerox copies and scans, the resulting combination of techniques produces evocative pieces that defy categorization.

In his first monograph, COME CLEAN, de Brabander invites us on a journey of introspection and exploration, challenging moral taboos and stereotypes and embracing the beauty of human form in all its shapes and contortions.

The title of the series encapsulates the essence of de Brabander's work—a call to honesty, transparency, and liberation. It begins with the invitation to COME IN—a welcoming gesture into the artist's enchanting universe. As we progress to COME OUT, secrets are unveiled and hidden truths come to light. In COME AGAIN, the journey continues inviting renewal, illumination, and the promise of future encounters. Finally, COME UNDONE signals the unraveling of societal norms, embracing the taboos, and finding beauty in the raw, unfiltered truth.

At the heart of de Brabander's work lies a profound connection to his personal experiences and upbringing. His Catholic background deeply influenced his art, drawing inspiration from religious imagery and intertwining themes of sexuality, spirituality and self-discovery. Through his photography, he explores the dichotomy between desire and restraint, attachment and disaffection, devotion and alienation, inviting us to confront our own preconceptions and biases.

The male body serves as de Brabander's canvas, and his deliberate and unashamed focus on nudity challenges conventional norms, sparking a conversation about censorship, public morals, and the freedom of self-expression. In a society that is increasingly intolerant towards eroticism, de Brabander's work celebrates human nature and desire in all their forms.

One of the most striking elements of de Brabander's art is his intimate connection to his models. Each photo session becomes a creative journey, transcending the boundaries of voyeurism and entering the realm of collaborative performance. Through mutual trust and vulnerability, fantasies come to life, leaving a lasting impact on both the artist and the subject.

In the face of censorship and societal stigma, de Brabander remains steadfast in his commitment to artistic expression, challenging the status quo and urging us to reconsider our perceptions of sexuality, gender and identity.

Ultimately, Yves de Brabander's work is a celebration of the human spirit—a testament to the power of art to provoke, inspire, and liberate. In a world fraught with judgment and censorship, his voice rings out as a beacon of authenticity and courage. Through COME CLEAN, he invites us to shed our inhibitions, embrace our desires, and revel in the beauty of our shared humanity.

Mexico City, February 2024

Slava Mogutin in conversation with Yves de Brabander

Slava Mogutin: Your work seems to draw inspiration from biblical imagery.

Yves de Brabander: Absolutely. Biblical imagery, like the acts of kissing and washing feet, inspired me deeply and naturally found its way into my work. I explore themes of intimacy, vulnerability and redemption, paralleling biblical narratives. References to passages like Jesus spitting in the blind man's eye add layers of symbolic depth, prompting reflection on healing and revival. The portrayal of fallen angels, often blindfolded, serves as a metaphor for sexual complexities and the struggle for self-acceptance against societal norms and religious doctrines, away from the concept of sin, shame and punishment.

SM: There’s also a strong element of esoteric symbolism. Can you elaborate on that?

YdB: Each chapter of COME CLEAN incorporates symbolism to convey themes of introspection, confronting taboos, and embracing desires. From the single chair symbolizing individuality and introspection, the feelings of solitude, isolation, and fear in COME IN to the charcoal background representing the taboo and hidden truths in COME OUT. The charcoal leaves stains on the body representing the act of getting dirty and confronting social constraints of what’s considered sinful. Finally, returning to the single chair in COME AGAIN, bodies stained and dirty, the concluding chapter challenges taboos and embraces hidden desires. This transformation signifies a return to society with newly found authenticity, breaking free from constraints and bringing out our dirtiest desires into the light.

SM: Could you name your most important artistic influences?

YdB: I found early inspiration in the barely clothed depictions of saints and martyrs in classic paintings. But it was the raw, unfiltered work of contemporary photographers like Larry Clark and Peter Hujar that truly ignited my passion. Their works of raw human emotion and unapologetic queerness challenged the status quo and inspired me to push the boundaries of acceptability in my own work.

SM: Would you describe your work as sexual, erotic or fetishistic?

YdB: I'm not aiming for either extreme and my work defies easy categorization. It's a provocative exploration of desire, intimacy, and self-discovery. It's about challenging stereotypes and embracing the full spectrum of sexuality. I invite my viewers to confront their own desires and preconceptions, to embrace the beauty of the unconventional. It's a radical act of self-expression and liberation, a celebration of authenticity in a world that often seeks to confine and control us.

SM: How would you define fetish?

YdB: For me, fetish dives deep into the complexities of human sexuality, investigating and questioning the boundaries of what's deemed conventional. It's about desires and attractions that transcend the mundane, encompassing a spectrum of interests beyond societal norms. Yet, it's unfortunate that our culture tends to stigmatize and marginalize such desires, pushing them into the shadows. Perhaps it's time to embrace a more inclusive term like 'sexual interest,' shedding the judgmental connotations that come with words like 'fetish' and 'kink.'

SM: White socks are very present in your work, could you explain why?

YdB: Socks for me aren't just a mundane piece of clothing, they're a gateway to a world of sensory delight and intimate connection. From childhood memories of sniffing a friend's socks to the stained and torn socks worn by models in COME CLEAN, there's a raw, primal allure that sparks arousal. White socks, with their visible signs of wear, serve as my canvas for exploring the complexities of desire.

SM: What are you most obsessed with while taking a picture?

YdB: When I'm behind the lens, my obsession isn't just about capturing a perfect shot, it's about creating a genuine human connection with each model. It's almost like the first date, where bonding and trust are essential. While technical aspects like lighting and composition are important, my primary focus is on capturing intimate moments that resonate with raw energy and emotion. It's about creating an atmosphere of collaboration and vulnerability where the energy of this intimate moment can truly shine through.

SM: Does your creative process make you horny?

YdB: Let's face it, there's an undeniable erotic energy that permeates my creative process. As I refine each image, there's a visceral connection that transcends mere pixels and edits. It's about capturing moments that evoke a primal, sensual response, moments that hit me differently. So yes, there are times when the line between art and arousal blurs, and that's when I know I've captured something truly special.

SM: Are you romantic?

YdB: Absolutely! For me emotions and personal connection always come first, infusing each piece with a sense of romance and intimacy, drawing my viewers into the energetic essence of each scene.

SM: Why is nudity so important to you?

YdB: Nudity isn't just about exposing the body, it's about stripping away social constructs and shame and embracing the raw, unfiltered essence of humanity. I find beauty in every curve, every line, every imperfection that makes us uniquely human. I want to challenge the taboo surrounding nudity and initiate a conversation about authenticity, vulnerability, and the power of self-expression.

SM: What’s your take on censorship?

YdB: Censorship is the antithesis of artistic freedom. Art should provoke, inspire and challenge, not conform to arbitrary moral standards imposed by others. It's time to break free from the shackles of censorship and embrace the transformative power of art in all its glory.

SM: Can you describe your most memorable photo session?

YdB: Every photoshoot is memorable, especially witnessing fantasies come to life through collaboration and trust. Contributing to someone's journey of self-realization adds depth to my drive to create.

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SLAVA MOGUTIN