The Beauty of Cannabis Through the Eyes of Lelen Ruete

THE BEAUTY OF CANNABIS THROUGH

THE EYES OF LELEN RUETE

BY NEASHA HODGE

Cannabis, as we know, is used in many forms. However, have you ever taken a moment to really observe the plant in its natural form? Explore the beauty of the cannabis plant through the eyes of Argentine artist Lelen Ruete. Currently based in Uruguay, this 34-year-old mother, freelance photographer, producer and founder of The Rabbit Studio uses her passion for art and creative mind to bring exposure to the artistic side of cannabis to people around the world.

Though Ruete comes from a background in the fashion and commercial industry, she became intrigued with the beauty and history of the cannabis plant after her first shoot in 2017.

“I feel both a fascination toward the plant itself as a living being; how it works and lives as a system; the colors it develops; and the way it relates to the world,” she says. “Also, it being part of our same nature; the way it ‘looks’ at me and poses when I photograph it; and the passion and love the growers put into their job.”

Ruete draws her inspiration for her art from various photographers, nature, fashion and stories.

While, in many places, there is still a negative stigma around the cannabis plant, including Ruete’s home country of Argentina, it is widely accepted in Uruguay which was also the first country to legalize cannabis for recreational use.

Being a part of that community herself, Ruete shares a little about the current climate of cannabis there: “The growers are exceptional, and the know-how is amazing. The events are rich in culture, and the camaraderie inside the 420 community is very established. We all help each other!”

Ruete hopes her art will inspire others to open their minds about cannabis and serve as a bridge to educate people around the world about the many uses of the plant by showcasing it in a more elevated way. “I will be very happy when a non-cannabis company hosts an art exhibit that holds cannabis together with fashion and when cannabis becomes part of the culture like any other plant,” she says.

FOLLOW RUETE’S ART JOURNEY ON INSTAGRAM @LELENRUETE, AND PURCHASE HER ARTWORK AT WWW.LELENRUETE.COM.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LELEN RUETE

PLANT PHOTO

GELATO BY CLUB CANNABICO DEL OESTE

MODEL PHOTOS

MODEL: ANA GARCIA STYLING: GONZALO GUIGOU ART DIR: ANTONIO ALZA + DANIELA LAPORTA MAKEUP: CATHERINE CLULOW HAIR: BRIAN PAVAN PH ASSIST: MATEO GONZALEZ