The present is fantasy!

Between reality and fantasy, Harriet appears to us as if she’s from a fairytale. However, this is more real and integrated into our daily lives. Harriet shares her universe on Instagram as we scroll through a fantastical realm that includes ethereal creatures. This is a universe taht is imagery, yet it’s crafted to envision a new perspective on parallel dimensions and fresh possibilities. In a world, filled with black and white, Harriet finds an escape route within her own mind to another version of herself to make her world brim with magic and blending in otherworldly color palettes.

Would you consider yourself a spiritual person?

Harriet Davey: I don’t think I could say I am. I always find this question quite hard to answer. I’m generally not someone who thinks about things. I know that sounds strange, but I’m really in my own world a lot of the time that the surroundings or thoughts of things that are ‘other’ don’t occupy particularly my thoughts so much.

How do you stay curious?

Harriet Davey: I’m not sure there’s a way to make yourself more curious unless you already are. I get really obsessed with things, I can’t help it, and I allow the obsessions to consume me for some time before they eventually fade.

“I allow the obsessions to consume me for some time before they eventually fade.“

-Harriet Davey

Is future a reality or fantasy?

Harriet Davey: The present is fantasy! And the future is maybe reality… sometimes I think I won’t be able to carry on living in my own bubble, surviving and making a living from the work I get to make. At some point I feel like the bubble will burst and I will have to work a ‘real job’… I hope it doesn’t though.

Your work in the realm of 3D art often explores the concept of identity. How do you use your art as a means of self-expression and self-discovery?

Harriet Davey: This was something I didn’t even really know I was actively doing until after some time. In the beginning of my practice, around 6 years ago I guess, I was just in a whirlwind of creating, mostly avatars and virtual beings. It was only after others started to ask me about it, that I had to take a step back and think about what everything meant to me. And I realized it has all been a really free and open place for me to explore my gender and queer identity through the exploration of self-expression with the virtual beings. The practice is so close to my soul that every piece I work on (even the client pieces) have a tiny part of me within them.

What do you think about digital fashion?

Harriet Davey: I love working with digital fashion designers who dress my characters. It’s a whole other language and one I do not understand, so I appreciate working with someone who does! If I did not work with avatars, then I’m not sure I would be so into it all! I’m not leaping at a chance to dress my ‘real body’ in digital fashion, but then I’m not hugely into fashion IRL anyways…

Do you have an alter-ego? If there is, how does it affect your daily life regarding to feeling better?

Harriet Davey: I do! They are called Whowle. Whowle has been my gamertag since I’ve played videogames, my online anonymous (ish) name. I created the avatar of Whowle a few years back, it seemed a logical step after exploring avatars for other people, that I would create one for myself.

How is it like creating the possibilities of the unknown?

Harriet Davey: Phooof, big question again! It’s sometimes hard to have all these possibilities of being able to create. In theory, I can make anything, but in reality, I am limited mostly by my technical knowledge, time, and computing power. I will say I feel the most free in creating with 3D than I ever did with any other physical medium. I’m not interested in replicating things that could ever be physically made, or taking things from the real world into the virtual without at least altering them dramatically. 

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for your artistic career in terms of pushing the boundaries in your life through your creations?

Harriet Davey: I would love to (at some point) ditch most of the client work, and to be able to live from all personal work. If the very least, I would love to never have to answer an email thread that is longer than 5 emails back and forth haha. I want to do a Ted talk, I want to work with Arca and FKA Twigs, I want to curate and create a group exhibition in an extreme gaming cafe and esports arena in Berlin, I want to be able to support my friends’ works, I would love to own a cat. Let’s check back with me in 5 years and see how many of those are done! 

Looking to the future, are there any dream projects or collaborations you’d like to pursue that you haven’t had the opportunity to explore yet?

Harriet Davey: As I said before Arca and FKA Twigs! Ugh it would be a DREAM. I keep saying I want to work with them, and I keep dreaming one day one of them will reach out, but to be honest, I think I should just take the initiative and send a message first. I’ve been getting into real time performance capture so it’s about time I work with some more incredible performers!

“I want to escape reality.”

Harriet Davey

Many artists have unique rituals or routines that help them get into a creative mindset. Do you have any creative rituals or habits that you find particularly effective?

Harriet Davey: I play a lot of videogames! It’s my downtime, and I never feel guilty spending hours, or even days. But I also spend a decent amount of time in nature, especially on my bike, and as someone who doesn’t meditate, I guess I get the closest to a meditative state when I’m riding.

Your work often combines elements of fantasy and science fiction. What draws you to these genres, and how do they influence your creative process?

Harriet Davey: I want to escape reality. 

Is there a character that you feel connected among the characters you created?

Harriet Davey: Whowle is my baby, they are me, I am them. The rest are relations, but not so directly connected.

From Based Istanbul N°42 – me, myself & I Issue. “Talk to yourself like someone you love.⁠ Perhaps then, the balance might change. This time ask yourself: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me?” Buy your copy now!