Artist/Activist

Oly Bliss

£6,000

Medium

Embroidery

Dimensions

100 W x 90 H x 1 D cm

Delivery

£25.00

Year

2021

Description

This portrait features Yves Mathieu East, a visionary artist and activist whose gaze is fixed toward the future. Known on Instagram as @the_yvesdropper, Yves uses his platform to advocate for justice, equality, and education, often highlighting the stories of individuals lost to hate crimes and systemic injustice.

His activism is deeply personal, rooted in lived experience and a commitment to change. Yves is a multi-disciplinary creative—model, musician, and storyteller—who channels his energy into making the most of life. To me, this is powerful and magnetic. He is using his gifts proactively, leading with purpose and passion.

The imagery surrounding him in this piece is drawn directly from the tattoos that cover his body. As Yves once said: “There are people who have scrapbooks, people have yearbooks—and I have my tattoos. If my house was ever on fire, I’d be able to run out hands-free, because every single thing that means the most to me is tattooed on my body.”

One of the most striking tattoos across his chest reads “Nothing lasts forever”—a poignant reminder to live fully and remain present. His body is adorned with blooming flowers and animal skulls, symbols that speak to the beauty and fragility of life. His face is turned toward rays of light, outward-looking and hopeful.

This piece reflects on how tattoos can serve as both armour and vulnerability. They can be seen as aggressive or defiant, but also as deeply personal expressions of emotion, memory, and identity. Yves’s tattoos tell a story of resilience, transformation, and advocacy. His body becomes a living canvas—one that honors the past, confronts the present, and envisions a better future.

For further information about the construction and themes of this piece please click this link.

Details

Materials

Textiles

Weight

1kg

Dimensions

100 W x 90 H x 1 D cm

Delivery

Delivery available to these regions:

Region

Price

UK Mainland

£25.00

Orders will be processed and dispatched within 5-10 business days of receiving the order.
Shipping method(s) for this item: standard tracked
Estimated delivery times: 2-14 days/up to 2 weeks.
Delivery will be tracked and tracking information provided once the order has been dispatched.

Legals

Terms of Sale

Prices are as listed on Exhibtd.
Payments are securely processed through Stripe.
Delays caused by postal services are beyond my control.
If you change your mind, you may return the item within 14 days of receipt.
Please contact me before returning any items so we can arrange the process smoothly.
Shipping costs for returns are the responsibility of the buyer unless the item is damaged.
Please contact me if your item doesn’t arrive within 14 business days of dispatch.
If your item arrives damaged, please contact me within 21 days of receipt with photos and a description of the damage.
Refunds will be processed directly to your bank account. This is dependent upon you providing your bank details in a timely manner.
You can cancel your order before dispatch. Please contact me as soon as possible if you wish to cancel through your Exhibtd account area.
Custom or commissioned artworks cannot be returned unless faulty or damaged.

Disclaimers

Colours may vary slightly between on-screen images and real artworks due to monitor settings and lighting.
Every original piece is handmade; small variations and imperfections are part of its character.
Frames shown in images are for display purposes unless otherwise specified.

Copyright

All artworks, designs, product images, and written content in this shopfront are copyright of Oliver Bliss, 2025.
Works may not be copied, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission.
Purchasing an artwork or print does not grant reproduction rights.

Data Protection

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