Erin M. Riley is an artist who's truly committed to portraying women's sexuality and issues. Born in 1985 in Brooklyn, where she still resides, Erin specializes in tapestry, the art of weaving. But she doesn't weave classical, dull motives - she weaves sexts, porn-screenshots, sexual themes. Her artworks are intimate, exciting, extraordinary and trivial (in a good way) all at the same time. We talked to Erin about her work, trichotillomania, porn and feminism.
Lola Who: You were talking about your trichotillomania (a hair pulling disorder) openly in public. Did it cost you quite an effort to do that, and does weaving somehow help you deal with it?
Erin: Yes of course. It's another intimate thing that I talk about openly. It's vulnerable and causes a lot of fear, but I think it''s best to face the things we hold the most private out of shame. Women shouldn't be burdened by societies standards.
Lola Who: In a world full of Snapchat nudes and dick pics, why do you think it''s important to put some of these pictures on long-lasting tapestry?
Erin: Because there was once a time when the body was IRL 24/7. When showing a partner your breasts or your stomach, your body was part of a sexual exploration that was not documented. Nowadays our bodies have lost this power they once had, they have become symbols of sexuality that is a costume. I am interested in slowing down the viewer to see these images out of context.
Lola Who: What is your message? What would you like people to know?
Erin: I think it's important to be in touch with your own sexuality, to explore every kink and urge, but more importantly to be supportive and judgment-free of others! I want to talk about the things we all do to jerk off or get off so that one day, sexual desires are one less thing that are burdening women in society.
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