Project_ISM - erotic art & public nudity

PATRICIA_H

ARTISTS STATEMENT

There's always been a dissonance in the way I perceive my body. On the one hand, I am affected (like, I imagine most women are) by the narrow image of beauty that is dictated to us by the media. Seeing other women through this harsh 'male lens' made me view myself in the same regard. For a young woman in an evolving body this can be a profoundly upsetting experience. In the past I have struggled with an eating disorder and these days when I don't nourish my body, I can feel myself reverting back to that harsh, judgmental viewpoint. On the other hand, I love getting naked! I cannot think of something so liberating that takes such a short amount of time! When I shed the barrier between myself and nature, I can shed those harsh, artificial judgements of what it is okay to look like. I am a product of nature, just like the trees around me and the river I'm wading in. How can I be any more or less perfect than I am right now? How can such a concept exist? I've also found that sexual experience with the right person is another, and one of the greatest ways to transcend learned fear and prejudice about my body. When I chose to do this shoot I was afraid that I would revert back to the 'male lens' and begin to judge my body harshly or get upset. However, as soon as I began to see the light and shadow cast through my window reflected on my skin, I began again to experience the fluidity of myself and nature. I began to see my own body as a canvas for the light and to experience the textures and contours of my body as an artist might see the landscape they are painting. It was impossible to reject myself in that instant, any more than I could reject or judge the sunlight. I just was, and it was glorious.

Media index

Patricia_H 'where_the_light'
22 Feb 15
Photos
ZIP - 49 images

Patricia_H 'latex_to_linen'
04 Mar 16
Photos - reload
ZIP - 40 images

ARTIST PROFILE

birthplace: Melbourne, Australia.
currently living in: Melbourne, Australia.
occupation: Student.
age: 19.
height: 175cms.
weight: 65 kilograms.
relationship status: Single.
biggest passion in my life: Reading and literature.
I like to listen to: a lyre playing an ancient melody, the crunch of leaves under my feet, and Bach's Chaconne.
I like to watch: people's private moments when they don't think anybody's looking.
I like to smell: pine needles, newly shined leather boots and my favourite French perfume on unwashed skin.
I like to taste: mountains of tiramisu (preferably smeared on a lover).
I like to feel: the shock of cold water on summer skin, fingernails on my scalp, feathers on my skin.
favourite part of my body: I like my nipples, toes, and my incredibly wrinkly palms.
favourite part of someone else's body: The face, the brain (nothing is sexier than a beautiful mind).
Why i shot myself: I wanted to contribute to the movement that celebrates the diversity of beauty.
who I'd least like to see shoot themselves: Clive Palmer.
who I'd most like to see shoot themselves: My friend, she's never learnt to accept her appearance or her sexuality.
Most outrageous thing I have done: I once masturbated in a church.
Bands I like: Sonic Youth, Sun Ra, Tom Waits, Patti Smith, Skip James, Son House, T-Model Ford.
Books I like: The Secret History, Homer's Iliad, Tess of the D'Urbevilles, The Birth of Tragedy.
Films I like: Seventh Seal, Dead Man, American Beauty.

this artist also contributed to beautiful agony

PATRICIA_H