In Stillness
A Study Of Form
HeyBoy Exclusive
In Stillness
A Study Of Form
HeyBoy Exclusive
Model: Alex Mells
Photographer: Ruslan Pukshyn
Ukraine
Boys, Boys, Boys
HeyBoy Exclusive
Q) You’re drawn to design and photography. Do you see these as tools for expression, or as quieter ways of understanding the world when words fall short?
A) I think it’s both. Overall, I’m really interested in the process itself as a creator. I like that I can create something, tweak it, and shape it the way I want.
Q) At this moment in history, being Ukrainian carries weight. How do you hold space for what’s happening without letting it eclipse your sense of hope or path forward?
A) Honestly, we’ve all gotten used to what’s happening here — as much as that’s even possible, and as sad as it sounds. People here are trying to live their lives no matter what and overcome any difficulties, because we simply don’t have any other choice.
Q) Your physical presence is slender, refined, almost architectural. How do you feel your body is read by others — and how does that differ from how you experience it yourself?
A) For most of my life, I was perceived as very thin. I can’t say it really bothered me, but when people pestered me with advice like “you need to eat more,” it was definitely annoying. Overall, I’ve had issues with self-esteem (even now, sometimes), but at the moment, it’s more or less okay. I think I actually started posting photos of myself precisely because of this; it helped me start accepting myself for who I am.
Q) Male bodies have long been boxed into narrow definitions of strength. Do you feel those expectations shifting, and where do you see yourself within that change?
A) Personally, I like both muscular bodies and thin ones, like mine. I might want to bulk up a bit in the future, but not too much; I like my slim figure. Regarding societal expectations, I can cite Finn Wolfhart, Timothée Chalamet, and others as examples. People like thin bodies too, and I’m glad that the trend is shifting toward individuality. That means everyone will find something to suit their taste, whether it’s a muscular body or a thin one.
Q) When you’re being photographed, what do you want people to feel beyond what they see — tension, softness, vulnerability, calm?
A) Well, first of all, I was being photographed for myself. I don’t put any hidden meaning into it, I’m just interested in reading what people think about it and how they see me in the photos.
Q) Outside of modeling, what moments make you feel most grounded or alive, the kind that don’t need documentation to be real?
A) I think it’s the time I spend with my friends, listening to music I really love, and things like that. I cherish moments like when I’m watching a movie and it suddenly makes me tear up — the world feels completely different then, and I feel alive. Lately, though, I’ve noticed it’s become really hard to make me cry. Maybe I’ve become too emotionally numb, or maybe I’ve just grown thicker skin.
