Any art that is good, or interesting, or worth spending time or money or love on, should feel unprecedented. If something is already of this Earth, why create another iteration?

Josephine Lee, alias Princess Gollum, is a visual artist and model whose creative work is known for its striking originality and eerie inquisitiveness. Princess Gollum operates in an orbit far removed from the earthly one to which she delivers her art. It only seemed right to ask her some burning questions. 

When is it good to feel like an alien?

I had to think about this question for a while and I came to the conclusion that it might be the best to be an alien when experiencing something you’ve never experienced before. Imagine, as an alien, falling in love, trying ice cream, and discovering girly pop for the first time. I would imagine it wouldn’t be a good time to be in a long distance relationship with someone back at “home” or when trying to fit in.

How does the idea of alienness inform your beauty/art practice?

I think it’s in the subconscious, maybe in the DNA at this point.

What do you think we’re all getting wrong about our idea of extraterrestrials?

That they’re scary—and I get it, fear of the unknown. I am certain there are crooked aliens out there, though, as we have evil in our universe, but mostly believe they come in peace and curiosity as most of us.

What’s the use in being scared of the unknown?

Exactly, I think the initial fear is a natural response. Similarly to anxiety, it could be your body letting you know that you personally may not have all the information to help you feel comfortable and safe. Our minds work really hard to fill in gaps to make things that are “unreal” to us to make sense. I think this is where many errors happen and ultimately gets in the way to gain full and complete understanding. When you feel the fear and decide to do it anyway—whether you get the outcome you were hoping for, you’ll see—it’s so empowering and just a fun way to live life.

How are you creating another world for yourself?

First you build a fire and a home; Build the city, then build the world.

If you got beamed up today, what would you miss the most?

If I got abducted today, I would miss my beloved humans the most. 

Photographed and Production by Jasmine Rutledge

Styled by Carl Lovestrand 

Makeup: Shideh Kafei 

Hair: Oscar Pallares Gomez 

Nails: Marielle Co 

Digi: Zach Arquilevich 

Lighting & Assist: Valentina Berti 

Styling Assistants: Ian Whalley  Naoise 

Makeup Assistant: Maggie Overbaugh 

Movement: Caileigh Knapp

Flaunt Film: Diane Lac