Artist Statement
I am an emerging artist/designer from Dublin, Ireland, currently in my Final Year at NCAD studying Ceramics. I create sculptures with social and political concepts I also designs jewellery and other craft items which I sell regularly at craft markets.
This work is strongly political and inspired by the invention of Japanese tentacle pornography.
It all began when I typed in 'tentacle' to Google Images. 90% of the images that showed up consisted of violent tentacle porn. Tentacle porn has been around for centuries, but only became hugely popular in 1980, when a Japanese animator named Maeda wanted to make an erotic anime called Urotsuki. However, at the time, Japanese law forbade anatomically explicit pornographic drawings. Illustrators were always looking for ways to get around the law, so, instead of depicting an erect penis, Maeda depicted brutal tentacles.
Moreover, it was illegal to show couples taking part in sex where the man penetrates the woman with his penis for mutual pleasure, but it was perfectly legal to show tentacle rape. This contradiction of censorship fascinated me. The restrictions on the latter substantially caused the former: the return of the repressed as huge, aggressive tentacles...and this is what I found to be most fascinating.
Thus, the tentacles in my work symbolise sexual repression. I am very worried about contemporary sexuality, with women still derogated for acting sexual and mainstream pornography becoming more and more brutal. I pay a lot of attention to the media, which further influences my work. I use casts of my own body parts to express how this state of deformed sexuality is affecting me. Originally, for my pieces I used white earthenware clay, but now I am using very thin porcelain to achieve translucency, shadow and finer detail...creating highly skilled work. The tentacles are hand built with each sucker individually placed onto the piece. I aim to create work that is both beautiful and rather disturbing and I am fascinated by the conflicting reactions my work evokes; some shudder, some think it is beautiful. I also aim to provoke discussion and debate with my work on urgent issues that I find are often overlooked.
Shows and Exhibitions
2011
The Kilmainham Arts Club (gave a talk and slideshow),
'Turn the Light On' feminist exhibition at the Exchange, The Jam Art Factory, NCAD Degree Show.
2010
Gallery Zozimus
The Kilmainham Arts Festival.
2009
La Catedral Studios (The Back Loft)
Filmbase
Pygmalian.
Awards
Future Makers Student Award 2011
Our Ladies School Student Award for Excellence in Art, 2004
Commissions
Qualifications
National College of Art and Design 2011, B. Des (hons) Craft Design specialising in Ceramics.
Completed the Leaving Cert 2006 with 550 points.
Skills Profile
Mould-making, hand-building, slip casting, glazing.
Employment Record
2009: Make up artist for the 'Minx' music video, shot in the Back Loft.
2010: Working at weekly market stalls at the Point Village Market and other markets, successfully selling my crafts.
Life drawing model at Temple Lane Studios.
2008-2011: Working on the art-team on behalf of the Knockanstockan Music Festival.
Payment Details
Email me at ruthpowerart@gmail.com
Contact Details
Ireland
086 6680544
ruthpowerart@gmail.com