INTERVIEW

Phedra: Your photographs are charged with sexuality--especially that arising from fetish culture. Can you explain how fetishism inspires your artwork?

Druunatic: I came across the fetish theme when I was 19. A girlfriend showed me a book with pictures of Betty Page bound and gagged. I fell like in love with the clothes and shoes right away, then went online to search for more of this culture. I collected pictures from my favorite photographers and I saw a pattern very early--all were fetish photographers or unique erotic artists. I felt a calling for me to take these pictures. Everytime I see a good series of images I get new ideas of what I would be able to do with those models. I like pictures that keep me awake, because things are not given in them. There is more to them than just beauty and perfection...

Phedra: As someone who has never strapped on a rubber suit--what is the appeal ?

Druunatic: I Dont have a latex-fetish myself--therefore I don't own a full rubber suit. I only have a few skirts and a lot of other fetish gear:shoes, corsets, ect.
My latex fetish is very voyeuristic, is it? Can you use that word? I feed my eyes big time and I like the feel of it very much--I like that it is very sexually oriented.

Phedra: Most of your models aren't conventional--what are you looking for when you choose your subjects?

Druunatic: I'm looking for WOMEN that dare living on the edge or are just living without too many boundries. I look for models that are proud of who or what they are. No matter what race or size they are. Real people that have lived. People that dare to celebrate life through their sexual preferences.

Phedra: How did you get your start in photography ?

Druunatic: My Father and grandfather both had photography as a hobby. I have been very drawn to the artform and took my own pictures since I was 12. However, they never had the same quality that my erotic pictures have. So it really came as a surprise to me that I had a hidden talent there. A girlfriend once asked me to take 12 pictures of her--to be used for a calender for her boyfriend-- when looking at the pictures on my computer afterwards she was like, "Is that ME?"

Those pictures were the strongest I had ever made-- almost perfect. More girlfriends came to me after that and I just decided to go with the flow. That was 2002.

Phedra: Often erotic photographs by male artists feel harsh--I don't get that vibe from your work. Do you feel your gender gives you a different aestetic?

Druunatic: I'm so thankfull that you don't find them harsh. That is a very fine balance. When you do it right it can be art--but if you do it wrong-- it's bad porn.

The harsh pictures become boring pretty fast. I don't think about holding that balance when I work though, it's important to be honest when I work. I want to think as little as possible--just go with the feeling instead. Take pictures with my stomach and heart--not my brain.

I only think about my gender when I ask models to work for me. I'm pretty sure that they don't hesitate as much as they would if a man aksed them to model in this genre. Almost everyone I ask to work with me mentions that it is a plus that I'm a woman. My approach to things have a male energy...with a woman in control.

Phedra: There are elements of religious iconography scattered about your collection--of what signifigance are they?

Druunatic: So funny that you ask. I just have a religious fetish when it comes to the Catholic Church. I find their surroundings very beautiful. So sex and religion are connected in my world, my philosophy. It is not something I think too much about, it's simply who I am.

Phedra: If you look at some of your early work--then view your current images--how do you feel you've evolved?

Druunatic: I feel that I'm a better technician, but I still have a lot to learn, especially when it comes to light. I'm also very much aware that perfect pictures can be boring. So I don't attempt perfection. I seek to freeze an almost holy, pure and honest moment from
life. To be able to share it with people is still surreal.

Phedra: What emotions are you seeking to evoke with your imagery?

Druunatic: I would love to blow people away without offending them. Leave them "shaken but not stirred". Show them my corner of the sky. Any positive emotion is cool for me...

Phedra: If I'd like to see more of your work, how would I do so?

Druunatic: You can see and order my pictures on my site :

www.druunatic.dk

I also have a profile on MySpace :

http://www.myspace.com/druunatic

Phedra: Wanna say hello to anyone special?

Druunatic: Yeah-- to all the people in my surroundings that keep telling me Im on the right track--even if they also dare to give me criticism. To all the people who leave sweet words in my mail. Plus all those who don't judge me for following my dream...

PHOTOGRAPHS
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