Gwenn Seemel  is a French- American queer artist known for their distinctive polka-dot painting style to create vibrant and expressive portraits centered on identity and belonging. In their words, “The tiny dynamic marks that make up my art give it its unique look, but they’re also a direct representation of my main purpose as an artist. They’re a reminder that matter is energy—the only solid thing in this world is movement. I don’t want to live my life on the surface, forgetting that change is built into every particle. My paintings help me remember to keep searching for the deeper dynamic layers.” Gwenn advocates for a free culture approach to art, where sharing ideas takes precedence over strict copyright enforcement. In 2023, they made their first film appearance in the Belgian documentary Queerying Nature. Their work has been featured in Hyperallergic and Newsweek, and it has also appeared on the cover of a book published by Oxford University Press.

Everything’s Fine is Gwenn’s first complete series, utilizing dreamlike imagery and surreal self-portraits to communicate complex emotional experiences, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. Through symbolic representations— ranging from animals and plants, to an unusually tall traffic light- they invite viewers to connect with their own struggles. On their website, Gwenn explains how surrealism empowers the unconscious, aligning with  a broader artistic movement focused on exploring and expressing complex inner experiences. The series is designed to be accessible, allowing individuals to engage with the images in various ways, whether as personal reminders, profile pictures, or discussion tools.

By blending art with introspection, Gwenn aims to foster a sense of shared experience and healing. The series, placed in the public domain, ensures that these images are available to everyone who finds solace in them.

Additionally, Gwenn has transformed Everything’s Fine into a colouring book, offering a creative outlet for teens and adults to embrace their complexity with creative outlook and kindness.

Here are some of their beautiful artworks from the series:

Image Credits:

Body Images: Gwenn Seemel, via website, Public Domain

Feature Image: Gwenn Seemel, via website, Public Domain