Words by Kimberly Haddad
Santos-based illustrator Demontier Meireles, aka DEMÖ, is known for his eccentric creations that garner various influences of high-fashion and queer culture alike. From his latest zodiac series of whimsical characters to his vibrant compilation of odd-ball personalities, including the Blue Dalia and the Red Priestess, DEMÖ celebrates the exquisite oddities of the human form to create enigmatic, yet romantic works of art.
BASIC: Give us a little introduction about yourself. Where are you from and what is your background? Did you study or are you a self- taught artist?
DEMÖ: Well, my name is Demontier Meireles, also known as DEMÖ and I am a Brazilian artist based in Santos, São Paulo. I have a background in architecture and urbanism and in college, I took a few art classes which really opened a new world of possibilities for me and my aesthetic.
BASIC: Your illustrations are quite enigmatic, exuding both a subtle romance and mystery. How did you develop such a unique artistic style?
DEMÖ: Like most queer people, I experience a very strong social duality. On one hand, I’m oppressed or judged by those around me, and on the other hand, I am fierce and celebrated inside my community’s bubble, so my work has been subconsciously developed around that. My illustrations can be bold, colorful, confident, and at times, melancholic, romantic and insecure.
Basic: Have you always wanted to be an illustrator? How has your creative style developed since you first began creating art?
DEMÖ: Oh, yes. At a very young age, my dream was always to be able to draw and give life to the characters in my head, especially being such a huge anime and manga fan. I used to read a manga called Bleach by the amazing artist, Tite Kubo and I felt so many emotions. I began to retrace his artwork and when I grew up and discovered queer culture, I was exposed to the amazing art of performance, colors and possibilities. My art style started to take a different shape as I began to express myself and my feelings within the characters I had imagined.
Basic: What things in the world drive your creativeenergy?
DEMÖ: All kinds of things tickle my creative bone, but I love to look at people, in general, but mostly people with odd features, like big noses or ears, different shapes and the marks of age in their skin. I like looking at the way people move, express and decorate their bodies. I take note of those things, and sometimes, all I need for inspiration is to look at some old lady with a very distinct fashion sense and heavy makeup on the street and I’m ready to draw. Folklore and mythology also give me a lot of inspiration.
Basic: How do you develop the concept or themes behind each illustration? Your latest series is inspired by the zodiac. What is your thought process behind choosing specific creative elements and colors?
DEMÖ: There’s always a story or a basic concept behind each of my illustrations. For example, for one of them I thought about this wonderfully elegant singer character whose dream was to have the voice of an angel, and for that, she was willing to do anything. A deal was made and she got what she wanted, but she could no longer hear herself or the sound of her voice. The theme of duality is there and the concept was about making art when we feel most accomplished. In that specific illustration, I used bright oranges and a deeper blue to make that contrast clear yet subtle.
Basic: How do you create such whimsical characters? Are any of them influenced by the people you surround yourself with? DEMÖ: Some come from those concepts and history elements that I mentioned, but others can come simply from visual stimulations, which I will then build a concept and story around. For example, I have a lot of drag and visual arts friends close to me and sometimes, a look or a specific color they use can turn into a whole story in my head.
Basic: Choose three adjectives to describe your art. DEMÖ: Gender ambiguous, bold and melancholic.
Basic: What kinds of emotions or conversations do you hope your work conveys to the world?
DEMÖ: I honestly hope people have fun looking at my art and feel inspired, empowered or motivated by the duality themes in it. I hope they can feel strong and bold, yet vulnerable and romantic—realizing that feeling insecure doesn’t mean you can’t still be fierce and colorful.
Basic: Do you have any special projects or upcoming plans for your creative endeavors?
DEMÖ: Yes, I actually do. I am working on my first art book now, which will come with a lot of the behind-the-scenes information like concept designs, sketches and story elements that go with each character. I´m also working really hard on an animation series based on those stories and characters. It’s still in very early development, but I’m very excited about it.
Basic: What is your favorite color and why?
DEMÖ: Red, all the way! It’s my favorite because it has so much meaning behind it. It can either represent love and passion or blood and violence. It’s the color for everything intense.
Basic: What brings you the greatest joy?
DEMÖ: Being able to say that my childhood dream has come true and I’m living it. If only I could go back in time and show my illustrations to my younger self. That child in me would freak the hell out for sure!
