Alexander Ekholm’s debut solo exhibition, Exhalation, opened on March 19, 2026, with a private view, followed by its public launch on March 20, 2026, at Algha’s Plantroom in London. The exhibition, a profound exploration of queer intimacy and the expressive power of the human form, presents 28 images spanning digital and film photography. It is a testament to Ekholm’s unique artistic journey, shaped by a disciplined past in karate and a liberating embrace of dance, culminating in a visual language that speaks of connection, vulnerability, and a serene worldview.
The Artist’s Foundational Discipline and Evolving Expression
Alexander Ekholm stands out in the contemporary art scene, particularly among queer artists, for a practice uniquely informed by an unexpected discipline: karate. For a decade during childhood, Ekholm immersed themselves in the martial art, a rigorous form of movement demanding precision, control, and the relentless pursuit of physical potential. "I did it for ten years as a child," Ekholm shared during an interview at the Dazed office. "It’s a very controlled form of movement, and it’s all about maximising potential: how fast can you kick, how balanced can you move?" This foundational training instilled a profound understanding of the body’s capabilities, its structure, and its capacity for controlled power.
However, the disciplined world of karate eventually gave way to a more fluid and emotionally expressive outlet: dance. This transition marked a pivotal shift in Ekholm’s relationship with bodily movement. Where karate emphasized external control and strategic action, dance offered an internal release and a conduit for raw emotion. "When I dance, I can understand emotions that I didn’t even know I had," Ekholm explained. "It’s become one of my main mediums, and the way that bodies move is very prominent in my work." This evolution from strict discipline to expressive freedom is visibly woven into the fabric of Exhalation, where bodies are not engaged in sparring but in embracing, arching, and entwining, displaying a balletic elegance infused with coiled energy and a delicate sense of poise.
Prior to fully dedicating themselves to visual art, Ekholm also pursued industrial design, a field that further honed their eye for form, structure, and the interplay between objects and their environment. This diverse background – from the kinetic energy of martial arts and dance to the analytical precision of design – provides a rich, multidisciplinary lens through which Ekholm approaches photography, allowing for a unique perspective on the human form and its emotional resonance.
London: A Catalyst for Artistic Growth and Community
Ekholm’s relocation to London three years prior to the exhibition proved to be a transformative experience, which they describe as "very expansive." The vibrant, diverse, and overtly queer cultural landscape of the city became a crucial incubator for their artistic development and personal sense of belonging. Having initially practiced visual art and photography after their industrial design training, London offered a dynamic environment where Ekholm could further refine their craft and connect with a burgeoning community.
One of their early significant commissions was a project for Dazed, capturing moments from WHOLE Festival, an experience that likely deepened their engagement with queer subcultures and the power of documenting collective experiences. Exhalation is, in many respects, a direct celebration of the London queer community that has embraced Ekholm. It seeks to encapsulate the multifaceted moments of intimacy, tenderness, vulnerability, and ecstasy that define this community, offering an insider’s perspective on connection and shared identity. The exhibition’s focus on authentic, unvarnished expressions of intimacy is a direct reflection of the supportive and open environment Ekholm found in London.
"Exhalation": A Trilogy of Intimacy
The exhibition comprises 28 meticulously curated images, intentionally designed to communicate various facets of a singular message about connection and presence. These works are strategically divided into three distinct sections: "captured intimacy," "personal intimacy," and "constructed intimacy." This tripartite structure allows for a comprehensive exploration of how intimacy manifests across different contexts – from spontaneous, observed moments to deeply personal reflections and carefully arranged compositions.
The photographic techniques employed by Ekholm blend digital and film photography, offering a textural richness and diverse aesthetic palette to the exhibition. The settings for these images are as varied as the forms of intimacy they portray. Some shots were taken within the controlled environment of a studio, allowing for precise manipulation of light and composition to highlight the sculptural qualities of the body. Others were captured amidst the high-octane energy of queer parties, revealing the raw, uninhibited expressions of joy, connection, and liberation found within these spaces. Still others originate from Ekholm’s own homes, imbuing them with a sense of domesticity and deeply personal resonance. A notable image, vividly recalled by visitors, depicts a close friend emerging from the ocean beneath a striking blue sky, a moment of profound serenity and natural beauty captured during a trip to Greece, illustrating the global scope of Ekholm’s experiences and connections.
The Abstract Core: A Worldview Unveiled
Integral to the exhibition’s overarching meaning is a singular abstract work. This piece, created by capturing the ephemeral embers of a flame through a long exposure, offers a metaphorical anchor for Ekholm’s worldview. "It’s an abstract depiction of how I see my own worldview: this soft wave of calm, and a lot of black, which is essentially the unknown," Ekholm elaborated. "In life, there are moments of peak energy when we’re incredibly happy – when we travel, or we get a new job – but the base level [for me] is this peace." This abstract work serves as a visual metaphor for the transient nature of intense experiences against a backdrop of fundamental tranquility and the vastness of the unknown, grounding the more explicit depictions of human connection in a philosophical framework. It suggests that true peace lies not in the absence of peaks and valleys, but in the acceptance of their cyclical nature and the underlying calm that persists.
The Power of Softness and Bodily Communication
A central tenet guiding Exhalation is "the power of softness." While some images within the collection are undeniably erotic, and in some instances explicitly so, featuring nudity that challenges conventional broadcasting standards, they deliberately eschew lurid titillation. Instead, they emanate an air of profound tranquility and calmness. "The message is about the power of softness," Ekholm affirmed. "It almost reflects my spiritual beliefs. If you let everyone be who they are without interfering too much, we will have much more peace and everyone will be much happier. I think the exhibition comes together under that." This philosophy underpins the entire presentation, advocating for acceptance, non-interference, and the inherent serenity found in authenticity.
A striking characteristic of the exhibition is the deliberate scarcity of visible faces among the subjects. This omission is a conscious artistic choice, driven by Ekholm’s belief in the body’s unparalleled capacity for authentic communication. "A face tells such a strong story, and eyes dictate what you’re allowed to feel," Ekholm noted. "This exhibition is instead about the body as a form of communication, because bodies can’t lie in the same way." By de-emphasizing facial expressions, Ekholm redirects the viewer’s gaze to the nuanced language of posture, gesture, and skin, allowing the raw, unfiltered emotions conveyed through physical interaction to take precedence. This approach invites viewers to interpret intimacy through a more primal, visceral lens, unburdened by the societal constructs often associated with facial recognition.
Authenticity in Collaboration: Capturing Unvarnished Truths
All subjects featured in Exhalation are members of the queer community, a choice that underscores the exhibition’s commitment to representing authentic queer experiences. Ekholm’s relationships with these individuals varied; some were pre-existing friends, while others became acquaintances or friends during and after the photographic process. Regardless of the prior connection, Ekholm maintained a guiding principle: to not allow pre-conceived notions or established relationships to intrude upon the spontaneity and immediacy of the work.
"I don’t want to interfere with what’s happening," Ekholm stated, articulating a core tenet of their artistic methodology. "One of my guiding principles [as an artist] is that I don’t disturb the energy. I want to bring out the most authentic expression in people and make them feel comfortable and relaxed. Even when there’s a narrative, or it’s a pre-constructed image, I don’t want the emotions to be constructed." This commitment to capturing unvarnished, authentic emotion is paramount. It means creating an environment where subjects feel safe enough to be truly themselves, allowing their genuine intimacy and vulnerability to surface naturally, whether in a studio setting, a bustling party, or a private home. This philosophy results in images that feel deeply personal and candid, reflecting real moments of connection rather than staged performances.
Inspirations: Sound, Movement, and Queer Contemporary Art
Ekholm’s artistic sensibilities are profoundly influenced by sound and music, particularly electronic music. "I think sound is the best medium, because it’s so intuitive and it’s instantly emotive; you know what you feel when you hear something. So electronic music is a strong influence," they explained. This auditory influence translates into the rhythmic and often fluid compositions seen in Exhalation, where bodies seem to move with an inherent musicality, echoing the beats and textures of electronic soundscapes.
Beyond music, Ekholm draws inspiration from a diverse array of contemporary artists and designers who similarly explore the body as a primary medium. They cite figures such as fashion designer Michaela Stark, known for her avant-garde, body-conscious creations that redefine traditional silhouettes. The design collective playbody also serves as an influence, likely for their innovative approaches to form and interaction. Abi Cotgrove, a latex wear designer, is admired for her "architectural abstraction of desire and attraction," highlighting Ekholm’s appreciation for how design can sculpt and recontextualize the human form. Visual artist Hezen and DJs like Juliana Huxtable and DJ Fashion are also mentioned, indicating a broad spectrum of influences that span visual art, fashion, and performance, all connected by their engagement with the body, identity, and subversive aesthetics within queer culture.
"I draw influence from all the people I encounter who actively utilise their body and embrace bodily intelligence, from the people I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and the community I have found a home in," Ekholm concluded. This statement encapsulates the collaborative and community-driven spirit of Exhalation, which ultimately serves as a vibrant portrait of the queer individuals and collective energy that define Ekholm’s artistic world. The exhibition, therefore, captures this community in all its sweaty, sensuous glory, celebrating its resilience, beauty, and profound capacity for intimacy.
Broader Implications and Context in Contemporary Art
Exhalation arrives at a moment of heightened awareness and increasing visibility for queer artists and narratives within the global art scene. London, in particular, has emerged as a crucial hub for queer artistic expression, with institutions and independent spaces alike championing diverse voices and perspectives. Ekholm’s work contributes significantly to this discourse by offering a nuanced, non-sensationalized portrayal of queer intimacy that emphasizes emotional depth and spiritual peace over mere provocation.
The exhibition’s focus on the body as a primary communicator, devoid of explicit facial expressions, challenges conventional modes of portraiture and deepens the understanding of non-verbal communication in art. This approach resonates with broader contemporary art trends that explore identity, embodiment, and the subjective experience of the self. By foregrounding "the power of softness" and advocating for non-interference, Ekholm’s Exhalation offers a timely message of acceptance and tranquility in an often tumultuous world, suggesting that profound connection can be found in the quiet, authentic moments of human interaction. The exhibition not only documents a specific community but also invites a wider audience to reflect on the universal themes of intimacy, vulnerability, and the search for peace within one’s own worldview. It stands as a significant debut, marking Alexander Ekholm as a compelling voice in contemporary queer photography.
Alexander Ekholm’s Exhalation is showing at Algha’s Plantroom, London, from 11 am to 8 pm on March 20, 2026. The private view was held on March 19 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
