Orifices (2008)

Collaboration with Mika Ross-Southall
Digital C-Type Photograph

The portrait of a female is strangely and powerfully altered with the presence of wet tissue filling every orifice. The subject is rendered impervious to all senses. This proposal could be interpreted as horrifying and deadly or relaxing and meditative. The pure whiteness of the tissue juxtaposes peculiarly with its sinister threat, but this could be a self-imposed threat. Sexual fetishism often incorporates the desire to push at the limits of the body, a push towards death and the ultimate release from pain.

These desires and sensations are not common to every man, but are recognised to be present within society. Their depiction in Orifices highlights their presence in a stark and unforgiving manner. It is uncomfortable to view and relates to feelings of sexual repression, to abjection, to torture and to desire and personal definition of self in relation to these perceived threats and obstacles to/in society.