Elyas Salame (they/them) is a 35-year-old queer illustrator and designer based in Belgium. Their work focuses on exploring queer identities through a scientific lens, resulting in unique and creative prints, pins, stickers, and patches.
They initially created their brand — Yas Petit Poulet — as an Instagram moniker only. The French phrase translating to “Little Chicken” quickly expanded to encompass their pen name for their art career, a home for the Queer Chemistry Project, and the pseudonym attached to their written works.
A Start in STEM
Growing up, science, technology, engineering, and math were important cornerstones of Salame’s family’s life, sparking a lifelong appreciation for science. Now, Salame turns to science whenever they need inspiration for their art.
“I always come back to science, back to the roots, to feel energized again in my work,” Salame said in an email interview with the museum.
Periodic Growth
Salame created Yas Petit Poulet in 2017, a year after moving to Montreal to work in communications at a nonprofit. In 2018, they launched the Queer Chemistry Project, an enameled pin series connecting Mendeleev periodic elements to gender identities and sexualities.
“Just like chemical elements, gender and sexuality are totally natural. Every gender and sexuality in the community is valid, and something to celebrate with pride and joy,” Salame said. “Think of labels as your personal boost of confidence, helping you not only understand yourself better but also connect with others. They’re like your personal tool in navigating your way through the community and the world.”
Helium becomes he/him, Arsenic is tied to asexual, Praseodyium’s first two letters match that of Pride. Each pin’s enamel colors represent those of the identity they are tied to, providing an easy identifier. The pins were immediately popular upon launch, requiring frequent restocks and allowing Salame to make their production a full-time job. Over the past eight years, the project has expanded from 10 elements to 37.
Little Chicken, Big Dreams
While enamel pins are a primary medium for the artist, their mixed media and digital illustration background allow for a diverse range of products and themes. As they look to the future, they hope to incorporate new art styles into their work.
“Recycling, upcycling and environmental issues have been my special interest for a couple of years now,” Salame said. “I’m interested in creating pieces and art that have multiple uses. I personally work on art pieces with a practical and functional purpose.”
Yas Petit Poulet pins, patches, and stickers are exclusively sold in the United States in the Explore Store.
