I’m currently residing in Gothenburg, Sweden but am originally from Tucson, Arizona where I spent a majority of my life. Over the years and through countless journeys, I would always have a camera in hand which eventually led to my day dream induced visual landscapes.

Most recently I’ve signed with the London based talent agency MTArt and am beyond thrilled to have that close partnership as it’ll allow me to focus even more on my artwork (both visual and audio) and to hopefully elevate it to another level. 

Hi Lela, thank you for joining us today, please share with us your greatest inspirations or influences

My greatest inspiration is the outdoors and the peace (or loneliness) that can accompany it. When I was young, I would spend most of my time out in the desert chasing sunsets and the endless stars at night. Something about those moments in time have stuck with me over the years and have left a residual effect of nostalgia. Regardless of where I am in the world, when I find myself with the chance to go explore nature, I’m immediately brought back to those memories of my youth. 

Tell us about your creative process

The way in which I approach my visual art was quite accidental and experimental at first. I’ve always had a camera with me wherever I go but often I’d find myself with thousands of photos, not sure what to do with them once edited. Eventually, the idea struck me to combine all of these photographs (moments in time) and see what would happen if I processed them with the help of artificial intelligence. I didn’t have high hopes but the results resonated with me on such a level that I had to keep experimenting and exploring this avenue.

Ever since this first test, I’ve continued to experiment and alter the photos here and there, trying to re-create a place or scene that does and doesn’t exist. 

How has the pandemic affected your creativity?

The pandemic forced me to change my view of creativity in the sense that collaboration felt off limits and it was really up to me to create whatever I had in mind. This sense of self reliance made me grow more confident as an artist and it’s something I appreciate but of course as time went on, there were bits in which I craved breaking out of Sweden to see anything else and feel inspired again. 

Icons in your opinion?

This is a tricky one! Someone I reflect upon as an icon of our time and one who has not only inspired me but continues to create and re-invent himself in a genuine manner is Bonobo. Both as a musician and as a photographer, his artwork captures such a beautiful emotion that most of us can relate to in one way or another. Seeing how he’s progressed over the years, the different techniques he’s utilised - it’s all incredibly inspiring. He’s an artist that no matter what he releases, I’ll always be intrigued and find a deep connection to his work.

What does wellbeing mean to you Lela?

Well being to me is taking time for myself to clear my thoughts and reset. This can be anything from going on a hiking trip and disconnecting from the digital world or a night out with my closest friends. Having that time to clear the palette of the mind does wonders for me. Something I do at least once a year is escaping to a small town in Scandinavia during the winter months where I can then enjoy the bitter coldness, the extra hours of darkness and submerge into a cold and fresh state of mind.

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Visuals by Erik Hammagren