Scottish creative director and collage artist Portis Wasp has one of the sexiest feeds on social media. He started making collages featuring sexy photos of male models and celebrities that he would mix with cartoons, bits of porn and other fun tidbits to create his own multi-layered editorials. He eventually got into video, making hypnotic clips featuring the very latest trends, sexy faces and pop culture moments. For Playgirl, Portis Wasp added his touches to a provocative shoot with model Baptiste Cothenet in the woods by photographer Adam Washington.
When did you start doing collage?
Around 2014 I started making collages for fun which is what first attracted the attention of fashion industry people to my work. Further down the line my video work gained traction leading me to work with more fashion brands and magazines across different mediums.
Playgirl X Portis Wasp.
What is it that makes a photo good material for your collages?
I think a photo that doesn’t warrant collaging makes for the best image to collage as I am already inspired to create something great with it. A lot of people confuse collage at times as a way to fix bad work, which it can be, but as an artist I need to be inspired by the imagery I am working with to create something great.
Playgirl X Portis Wasp.
Give us your list of today’s sexiest men
Where do I begin… Simone Sussina in the supermarket the other day doing his thing is a strong contender. As are a lot of other Italians I have seen in the wild, having spent a lot of time in Milan over the last two years. Aaron Pierre is stunning… Aldis Hodge, Trevante Rhodes, Sergio Armas, Zane Phillips… I could go on.
Playgirl X Portis Wasp.
Today’s most stylish and exciting women?
I love film and tv, so my current obsessions are Sophie Thatcher (the horror girlies rarely disappoint), Aimee Lou Wood on The White Lotus is already giving the most and I have of course stanned Mikey Madison heavily since she stole several scenes in Scream.
Playgirl X Portis Wasp.
Have you ever gotten negative feedback from any celebs or publications or do they all love it?
No, not really… Thankfully most people repost my work or commission me based on what they have seen of my work online. We all vibe and inspire each other after all, so I’ve been fortunate to receive a lot of positive feedback.
Do you not use famous cartoons in your collages any more?
Occasionally but not so much recently. I like to change it up and explore other ways to tell a story.
Playgirl X Portis Wasp.
Which photographers inspire you the most lately? Why?
I love Bardia Zeinali and Aidan Zamiri’s directorial work which is always hugely entertaining and creatively inspiring. I am inspired a lot by film and pop culture, so inspiration comes from many different places on a daily basis tbh.
Playgirl X Portis Wasp.
Walk us through your creative process. Do you see a photo and then get collage ideas or do you conceive collages and then find photos to build them around?
I don’t really overthink it when I am creating something, so usually I see an image I want to play with… I put on some good music… and then I begin creating something and work on it until I feel it’s done. Whenever I feel like I’m procrastinating on something it’s probably a sign that I’m forcing something that’s not there and it’s probably not the right image for me to work with.
Do you have any favorite old Playgirl spreads or models?
Steve D’Auria. An impeccable 70s mood.
