A Conversation About Queer Art with Heesh and Kekette

We sat down with Hicham (they/them) to talk about the new Queer Love design—their inspiration, creative process, and what it meant to collaborate with us at SML. Get the behind-the-scenes scoop on this bold, beautiful Pride piece and the story behind its creation.

Can you share a bit about your background and how your journey as an artist began? What brought you to where you are today?

My artistic journey began when I was 8 years old, when I imitated my sister’s fashion illustrations for design school. In the early 2000s, I pursued illustration studies, initially aiming to become a comic book designer or animator. As the industry shifted towards digital mediums, I transitioned into painting and later took on contract illustration work in the restaurant and food sectors. However, I found these paths unfulfilling, took a significant break from visual arts, and focused on musical endeavours.

Years later, inspired by new queer expressions in media and pop culture via shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, I returned to illustration, focusing on drag queens and diverse representations of gender. This exploration became a form of art therapy, helping me get to know my own identity as an elder in the community. This newer version of myself reminded me that I’ve always created, painted, and sung for us. My work has been deeply rooted in my sense of place, belonging, identity, and representation.

Collaborating with organizations like PurposeMed, CBRC, and Connect Fund has allowed me to merge my passion for art with advocacy, creating designs that serve and reflect marginalized communities.

Social Made Local is all about celebrating creators. Why do you create, and what inspires you to tell stories through art — especially through a Queer lens?

I create to reflect and amplify voices and identities that are often underrepresented or misrepresented. My work is inspired by my own experiences as a non-binary individual and the desire to see authentic queer narratives in art. Through illustration and design, I aim to challenge societal norms and celebrate the beauty of diverse identities, fostering a sense of belonging and visibility within the queer community.

Why did you want to collaborate with Social Made Local for the Queer Love project? What drew you to the brand?

Social Made Local's commitment to celebrating queer creators and fostering community resonated with me. Their focus on authentic representation aligns with my values as an artist. Collaborating on the Queer Love project felt like a natural extension of my work, providing an opportunity to contribute to a platform that uplifts and centers queer voices.

This year, Social Made Local wanted the design to be more for Queer folks — less about educating allies. How did this focus shape your approach to the Queer Love concept?

This shift allowed me to delve deeper into the nuances of queer experiences without the need to simplify or dilute for external understanding. It enabled me to create a design that speaks directly to the queer community, celebrating our love, resilience, and diversity without compromise. The focus was on authenticity and connection, rather than explanation. I did, however, see an opportunity to speak directly to us and maybe include some iconography that folks may not be used to seeing, like mastectomy and phalloplasty scars on our main figure. 

Were there any specific emotions, symbols, or experiences you wanted to highlight in the Queer Love design?

The play on “Love is Love” was meant to be an ironic play on a heteronormative perspective of queer identity. It then turned into a sincere reflection of queer love being valid, not the standard corporatized version that feels like a parody of what being queer truly means. I aimed to capture the multifaceted nature of queer love, its joy, complexity, and defiance of traditional norms. Symbols of fluidity, inclusivity, and transformation were central to the design, reflecting the diverse ways love manifests within the queer community. The use of pride colours and dynamic forms was intentional to evoke a sense of celebration, empowerment and the feeling that we’re outside and taking space.

Can you walk us through the creative journey from brainstorming to the final artwork?

I started by sketching out a bunch of different body types. I really wanted the piece to reflect the diversity in our community. From there, I played around with the overall layout, but I knew from the beginning that I wanted to center a trans figure. That character became the heart of the design. I wanted the piece to feel like an embrace, something soft and affirming, and the vibe of that central figure kind of set the tone for everything else. Once I had that emotional core, the rest started to fall into place. It was a lot of trial and error, refining things, and making sure the whole thing felt honest and full of love.

In your own words, what do you hope people feel or take away when they see the Queer Love design?

I hope the design evokes a sense of pride, belonging, and recognition. I want viewers, especially within the marginalised corners of the queer community, to see themselves reflected and celebrated. The artwork is a reminder that queer love is valid, beautiful, and deserving of visibility and respect.

Tell us about Kekette! What’s the story behind the brand, and what inspired you to launch this new project?

Kekette was born from a shared vision between Tom and myself, to create accessible and joyful designs for the queer community, particularly for those in bigger bodies. We recognized the lack of affordable, inclusive, and beautiful designs in the market and decided to fill that gap. Our journey is community-driven, with input from our audience shaping the direction of the brand. Kekette is more than a clothing line; it's a movement towards visibility and representation.

How do you personally stay connected to joy, community, and hope as a Queer artist right now?

I stay connected by engaging with my community, listening to their stories, and allowing their experiences to inspire my work. Collaborations with organizations like PurposeMed, CBRC, and Connect Fund keep me grounded in purpose, ensuring my art serves and uplifts those who need it most. The positive responses to my work, especially when individuals see themselves reflected, bring me immense joy and reaffirm the importance of what I do.

Check out Heesh’s stunning work — the new Queer Love design is here and it's available now only at Social Made Local. Plus, don’t miss Kekette, another bold project by Heesh and Tom.