In the beginning of the nineties, I came across his pictures for the very first time during the occasion of an exhibition for erotic art: drawings which arrested my attention immediately because their style and technique differed so very much from what had - until then - been presented under the subject of „fetish erotic art“. Although the erotic directness of Steel`s pictures left nothing to be desired for, they also possessed a quality of poetic fragility. For me, they represented a virtually perfect blend of Eros, eroticism and art. Today, I am even more pleased for being able to represent an almost complete overall view of this artist´s work as his publisher and editor. Meanwhile, Steel`s pictures do not only delight the readers of renowned magazines for lifestyle and fetish subjects but they can also be found in various galleries as well as in the portfolios of enthusiastic collectors. Steel is convinced that sexual dreams and fantasies as well as the latent inclination for fetishism lie dormant in every human being. It depends on the individual personality whether these dreams are going to be transformed into reality or whether they will be subdued. His work is aiming at the spectator`s active inner dialogue with this subject. Steel himself had a crucial experience which brought him to an intensive analysis of the erotic aspects of fetishism. On a journey to Paris, he discovered - in the vicinity of Centre Pompidou - a shop for fetish fashion and accessories. Having become curious due to the unusual presentation, this extraordinary fashion immediately arrested his attention. For him, the wearer of patent-leather or latex combines femininity, eroticism, strength and weakness in one person at the same time. He was given further incentive for an inner dialogue with this new subject by fetish magazines and the exchange of ideas with fetishists. Infected by this idea, restlessly, he now started approaching this subject from various perspectives. After intensive studies, the technique of drawing in pastels, watercolor and airbrush seemed to him the most suitable medium for putting his artistic ideas into practice. This technique enables a precise depiction of details and simultaneous gentleness and sensitivity. Amongst the multitude of aspects of fetishism, Steel`s personal obsession with feet and with the materials of steel and nylon has to be emphasized. These are materials which - on the one hand - seems perfectly in opposition to each other, but which - on the other hand - symbolize the same smooth and glossy purity. Thus, during the course of his artistic growth, an intensive blend of personal obsessions and inclinations developed and transformed into an exciting, stimulating and unique form of representation, into erotic art which inevitably makes the spectator fall under Steel`s spell. Claude Lenoir, Publisher