P006 → A Warm Gesture

A Warm Gesture, aims to subvert ideas surrounding BDSM as an act of exploration on self love and care. With societal standards being predominately heterosexual and secretive surrounding sexual fantasies and desires, this body of work aims to deconstruct and revisit the way we approach and look at the conceptualization of sex and power.  Through this journey, the artist reclaims a space and new path, rebuilding a sense of belonging for themselves in spaces where they could not previously fit in. Pasquali starts off their body of work with self-portraits of themselves. Using a slapper directly to their body, these self portraits was a conscious decision in order to deconstruct the binaries that are apparent within BDSM. Reclaiming the role of dominance vs submissive, in a euphoric space distant from the realities of this world.  It is deconstruction that interests the artists, subverting the mainstream ideas surrounding BDSM, cutting them out and repurposing them for their own needs and path. If in the mainstream world BDSM equivalates pain and discomfort, how can these ideas be subverted to comfort and self care? Can one be submissive to themselves, reclaiming agency on the submissive part of one’s self? Craving a space of safety, love and self care while also satisfying those needs in a space that is not perceived as the answer to those needs by the outside world. Allowing space for the viewer to project  their own preconceived ideas surrounding sex, power and control, they are confronted with this work and are invited to change and rethink their ideas surrounding pain, comfort, pleasure, sex, love, self care; ultimately becoming a warm gesture, as a parting gift from the work.