nikitaduncan - orgasms portraits of sexual energy

orgasms portraits of sexual energy

artist statement

I have created paintings of sexual energy via the experience of the orgasm by interviewing many members of the community. Orgasms Portraits of Sexual Energy has been an exploration of character intended to find the similarities and differences among people in an unconventional way. My objective has been to illustrate how beautiful people are apart from their physicality and in a tangible way that, although derived from words, is based on a non-visual experience. One of the major themes in Orgasms is the sublimation and transformation of one kind of energy into another. I have taken the words and feelings that others have given me and turned them into a painting in an attempt to create a language that is unique for this series and for each portrait within the series. The interviewees' description inspires the form, and the energy inspires the pallet. Energy includes everything that is not said, such as tone of voice and body language. Orgasms themselves are raw and unfiltered, however, as they are verbalized they become more refined and manipulated. This affects how the paint is layered. I take as many details as I can into account as I create compositions and apply paint because it is morally imperative for me to remain as truthful as possible to the individuals whose portraits I paint, just as they have been generous in sharing such deeply personal experiences with me. It is my hope that through these portraits and their accompanying interviews readers will adopt a more positive attitude about the different ways that people can be sexual… I want people to FEEL beautiful and gain a greater appreciation of themselves and each other.