AdeY‘s work captures those little moments of social oppression, humour, isolation, anxiety and depression. It recognises that we not only change in relationship to our environment but that our environment adapts to what we become.
The images depict imbalances evident in contemporary society today by directly addressing issues of gender, normative behaviour and how society forces us to choose one direction or path. The subjects show our venerability, loneliness, strengths and expectations whilst highlighting the correlation between body and space.
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Among all the types of art out there, what is it about nudes in particular that caught your interest and how did you start it?
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My work started as a revolt against the stereotypical images that we are bombarded with on a daily basis that sexualise almost everything we consume. Adverts about face creme, mobile phones, cars, tvs and you name it all talked the same language of sex sells. I was frustrated, bored and compelled to attempt to say something new and felt nudity would challenge both myself and the viewer.
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. You mention that your work separates itself from social norms and does not necessarily associate with sex. Based on that, what is the intention behind your photographs?
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When creating my works, I don’t ever focus on sex as a concept. I set out to form images that step away from the automatic association of being nude means your having or wanting to have sex. I search for connections between the models and environment and lean on themes of gender, collective behaviour, and social perceptions.
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As Pornceptual, we intend to challenge pornography’s normative association. What is your view on contemporary pornography and is/was this ever an inspiration to you?
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I like porn, but I’m no expert. However, I think that the internet revolution has opened the door on the porn industry and challenged the typical rhetoric of the male gaze. This has given a new voice to so many other ideas of sex, fantasy, fetish, and intimacy that were probably for many people oppressed for a long time.
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For the works I have created porn has never been an inspiration to me but it could be in the future for other projects.
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How do you draw the line between artful and tasteful nude portraits as opposed to full-on pornography?
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For sure the line can be blurry, but for me, it has to do with the focus of the work. How the viewer interprets the images is in some respect entirely out of the artist’s control. I have been told on numerous occasions that people find my work erotic which at first was a surprise to me, but their experience of my photography is as valid as my original intention.
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We all have different tastes, so maybe there is no line!…?
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Your work illustrates imbalances evident in contemporary society. How do you address issues such as gender and normative behaviour through photography?
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I play with switching the conventional narrative of gender roles and how we usually perceive this. This is also linked to normative behaviour and as I mentioned before going against the association of nudity and sex. I accept that my work is intimate in its nature but searching for an alternate world where equality is the norm and not something learned.
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