Ashley Rose

The Veil of Astronomicon feels like a cosmic séance set to the rhythm of underground music. What first sparked the idea for this project?

Most of my art is inspired by people who’ve really meant something to me: friends, relationships, people I’ve loved in different ways. With this piece, I wanted to honor a friend who completely changed how I looked at the world. We used to talk a lot about music, especially David Bowie, and about space. He showed up in my life when I was going through a really tough time, unsure of who I was and where I was heading with my career. The title is my way of paying tribute to him, partly to one of his songs, and partly to that underground spirit we both have. Having someone who believed in me and accepted me fully during that moment really stuck with me. The song is called Astronomicon by Nim Vind, which is one of my favorite composed songs.

Your works are described as “alien transmissions riding a rock ’n’ roll frequency.” How do you balance the cosmic sci-fi themes with the raw, gritty energy of punk culture?

I like the collision. Punk is raw, fast, and unapologetic. Sci-fi is limitless, weird, and beautiful all at once. Punk is dirty, loud, in-your-face, and sci-fi is infinite and strange. Goth brings the shadow and vibe. I don’t really try to balance them. At the core, they’re all about rebellion: against rules, against gravity, against whatever box the world tries to lock you in. At the end of the day it’s unapologetic and against being told who you’re supposed to be.

Music seems to guide your process almost like a ritual. Do you create while listening to specific tracks, and if so, what sounds shape your visual world?

Music has always been a part of my work. As far as tracks well when it comes to this:
Astronomicon by Nim Vind
Black Planet by The Sisters of Mercy
Space Oddity by David Bowie
Moonage Daydream by David Bowie
Not to Touch the Earth by The Doors
Genus Unknown By Blitzkid
Midnight by Koffin Kats
I’m sure there’s more but those come to mind.

Ashley Rose | The Veil Of Astronomicon | 2025

There’s a strong layering of symbols — moons, eyes, sound waves, spectral silhouettes. Do these symbols carry personal meaning, or are they more universal archetypes?

A little of both, honestly. Spiritually, the moon represents cycles, change, and reflection. I’ve always had a love for the moon, always shifting, always glowing, even when it’s hidden. The moon changes constantly, just like how people can change. The eye is often seen as a “window to the soul,” I’m a big believer in that! Eyes are the first thing I look at and notice about any person I meet. In a romantic sense that’s what I go for. I create artwork with my soul not my heart and I love with my soul more than my heart. It impacts my artwork heavily. The sound waves are actually spirals but can be seen as waves. The silhouette is a stencil made from several recent photos of him. The drawing is a sketch I drew when he was in the beginning of his career, that I never sent him. I’m happy people really dig it and this is by far the art piece I love. This is the one I want people to remember I made.

You describe your art as both rebellion and ritual. What role does subculture — punk, goth, underground — play in shaping your artistic identity?

My art it’s messy, it’s ritual, it’s me making my own space. It’s like that cause that’s who I am and have been. I grew up with that subculture. Honestly, subculture’s just part of me. Well rebellion, that’s part of me too. I always asked questions growing up and I’m not a saint but I do try to be the best version of myself I can be everyday. I like to break rules, ignore trends, and make something that’s just yours. All of that seeps into my work, shaping not just what I make, but how I approach it: as rebellion, as ritual, and as a way of carving out my own corner of the world.

Do you see yourself more as a visual artist, or as part of a broader music-and-art hybrid scene?

My visual art comes from the same place as the music I love. So yeah, I guess I’m a visual artist, but I’m also very much plugged into the broader music-and-art scene: punk, goth, alternative—it all mashes together, and I like keeping it that way.

Are there collaborations you dream of — with musicians, filmmakers, or other visual artists — that could expand your cosmic universe?

No expanding the cosmic universe, anytime soon. I am always open to hearing collaborations. I’m really just focused on my stuff right now, but I would love to do album covers for artists like AFI, She Wants Revenge, and some others.