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LENKA
DELLA-PORTA
Firstly, introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
Hi, I’m Lenka Della-Porta and am a London-based visual practitioner specialising in illustration and animation!
What topics do you like to explore in your art?
I think like many creatives the main source of inspiration is just your own life and the experiences you gain from living it. I try not to box myself in too much with my work, but I’ve definitely noticed details that revolve around ideas of femininity, youth, and being a mixed Japanese person growing up in the UK. I think art is a physical reflection of the point you are in your life, and I keep my inspirations open so my work can evolve and grow as I do!
How do you find inspiration for your work?
Pretty much anywhere and everywhere! I try and stay off my phone as much as I can when I’m outside as I like looking outside on the bus and people watching. There are some cute and insane things that go on when you’re present in your surroundings. I want to intentionally look for visual inspiration, though I do love using Pinterest. Anything my eyes take in can be inspiration for my work if my brain agrees, whether that’s film, architecture, fashion, faces etc. you name it! I love illustrating dream-like worlds and characters that embody my visual tastes.
At the moment I’m working on an animation that focuses on my childhood nostalgias, so I’ve been deep diving into archive home footage, photos and objects for inspiration. I’m a very nostalgic person so I usually love focusing on artefacts and memories that hold emotion and meaning.
What would be your ideal collaboration?
I’ve always wanted an It’s Nice That article written about my work, I feel that’s every aspiring creative’s go-to.
At this moment in time I’d love to have a collaboration with a fashion brand that fits my style. I’ve noticed companies being more creative and collaborative with their campaigns over the years so the concept of having some hand illustrated models (not AI) to model clothing would be so amazing to see! A while back I did a commission for TRASH, a small London-based clothing brand, where I illustrated one of the creators in their two-piece. I’d love to do more stuff like that. Being able to have illustration and animation as a normalised medium for adverts, shoots, music videos, etc. would be the dream.
How did you first start modelling and what have your experiences been like so far?
I started doing casual modelling gigs in 2019 and was with a small start-up agency for a couple of years with my twin sister. I’m now with Contact with Blue Agency as my MA! Modelling has never been something I want to do as a job or career; I’ve always found it fun to do small shoots and meet new creatives, so my experience has been a positive one! I’d definitely love to do more shoots that are more focused on myself as a creative. The Young Blood campaign with TANK Magazine was such a great first shoot that focused on the people as artists instead of just models.
I loved the ramen bowl jacket you embroidered! Is fashion and clothing something
you would like to continue to explore as a medium?
Thank you! Fashion has definitely been something I’ve always thought about as an artist - even back in the day I was printing my work onto t-shirts and selling them on Twitter as a way to make money as a teen. I’d love to potentially design clothing in the future but for now I’m very content with just being able to illustrate outfits on my characters and bring creative with fashion in that way.
What would be your best advice for aspiring artists?
Surround yourself with other creatives! Not even to network necessarily but just so you’re around other likeminded people who can push and inspire you. At the end of the day, people will always support you in a community and I feel that’s such an important part of creativity.
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