Submissive Studies

This series of acrylic paintings was inspired by Rachel's want to break away from a stiffer more controlled style. She was feeling frustrated and confined with using a paintbrush so she completed these images using her fingers and hands in an attempt to connect more with the material and form.

The series includes ten life size images of women in submissive poses and was intended to be installed in a gallery where the images would cover the four walls, immersing the viewer into a graphic and dramatic experience. It was designed to force the viewer to grapple with the violent and sexual images and evoke emotions of disgust, empathy, and arousal.