Photography06 : Chieh

Where live drawing sessions sparked an unexpected artistic partnership, transforming sketches into surreal photographic explorations

I first came across Chieh during Basic Inquiry's live drawing sessions. What initially caught my attention wasn't just her substantially better poses compared to other models, but her impeccable taste in music. You can find my sketches from those sessions in the 'Basic Inquiry: Where Models Become Muses' section of this post .

Our first real conversation happened outside Basic Inquiry when my bicycle got stolen. By the time her playlist ended, we were best friends—one of those instant creative connections that feels inevitable in retrospect.

I had a new camera, she loved to pose, and we both wanted to make art. What started as an impromptu collaboration resulted in photos I still can't delete, always thinking someday I'll edit and complete the projects we planned during those spontaneous sessions.

Our first hangout was entirely clothed—she'd found this interesting ring we spent time exploring, discussing what stories it might tell. Here we were, two artists looking at the universe through a circular mirror, her contemplative pose reflecting both sky and possibility.

When Chieh saw some of these sketches , she suggested we bring them to life. This is how our collaborative exploration began.

This is how it went.



Recently reconnecting with Chieh—a model, stylist, and costume designer—she offered to help transform my drawings into living art. What followed was a series of experimental photographs that pushed both of us into new creative territory.

  
I had never realized I could bring my sketches to life like this. The power of collaboration, I guess.

One aspect I particularly admired about Chieh was her feline contours, which inspired me to create tessellated compositions—arrangements that emphasized form over literal representation.

These abstract forms make it impossible to tell the humanness, which was exactly the point. The work becomes about shape, shadow, and the spaces between bodies rather than individual identity.

Our collaboration continued to evolve into more experimental territory—playing with light, fabric, and the mysterious qualities that emerge when familiar forms become unfamiliar.

Working with Chieh taught me that some of the most interesting art happens in the space between sketch and reality, where two creative minds can push each other toward expressions neither would have discovered alone.

What started as live drawing sessions evolved into a creative partnership that transformed both our approaches to art-making. Sometimes the most meaningful collaborations begin with stolen bicycles and shared playlists, growing into explorations that challenge how we see bodies, forms, and the art we create together.

More explorations from this collaboration continue to evolve as we push the boundaries between drawing, photography, and performance art.

( The image features a group of naked people arranged in a way that creates a visually striking pattern. The arrangement consists of multiple people sitting or lying down in a circle, with their bodies overlapping each other. The overlapping of their bodies creates a sense of depth and complexity in the image. The scene appears to be black and white, adding to the dramatic effect of the composition.)

( The image features a woman's body with her breasts and nipples displayed in a repetitive pattern. The breasts are positioned in a row, and the nipples are also arranged in a similar manner. The overall effect is a visually striking and unique display of the woman's anatomy.)

( The image features two naked people lying down next to each other, with their legs forming a triangle shape. They are both lying on their stomachs, with one person on the left side and the other on the right side. The black background of the image emphasizes the contrast between the naked bodies and the triangle shape created by the legs.)

But it is these abstract form, that make it unable to tell the humanness. 

 (The image shows a close-up of a person's upper body, specifically focusing on the chest area. The chest area appears to be well-defined and has a yellowish hue, which adds to the overall visual impact of the image.)


)( The image shows a woman's butt with a prominent cleavage, which is the term for the breasts. The butt is described as being very large and well-developed, giving it a prominent and attractive appearance.

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( The image shows a close-up of a person's back, featuring an orange-colored area. The back has a prominent curve, and the person's body is well-defined. The orange color in the image could be due to a variety of factors, such as lighting, the camera's settings, or the photo's editing. Regardless, the focus of the image is on the person's back, highlighting their unique body shape and the curve of their spine.)

HEre are some more exploration of my abstract style. 

( The image shows a woman with no head covering, sitting on a bed with her legs crossed. The scene is set in a dark room, with a bed in the background and a lamp in the foreground. The woman's exposed body is illuminated by the light from the lamp, creating an interesting and somewhat provocative composition.)

 The image features two green curtains with reflections of people's hands on them. The curtains are partially open, allowing the reflections to be clearly visible. The scene appears to be in black and white, with the green curtains standing out against the dark background.

( The image features a person dressed in a white cloth or sheet, with their face covered by the cloth, appearing to be a ghost. The person is standing in front of a curtain, and the light source is shining on them from behind. The person's hands are visible, adding a sense of mystery to the scene. The overall atmosphere of the image suggests that it is a Halloween-themed display or a creative artistic project.)

( The image features a person wearing a green veil or cloth, which is partially covering their face. The person is standing in front of a light source, possibly a lighted window or a lighted object, creating a glowing effect. The person is also wearing a white dress, which contrasts with the green veil, making their face even more obscured. The overall effect is a striking and unique visual, with the person's face hidden from view.)

More of Man forms-