… not my every day work … but very pleased to have a photographic piece on the wall in the important “Sex and Politics” exhibition in Paris France … opening this evening 13th November !
A couple of months ago I was invited to exhibit in the exhibition “Sex and Politics” by the folks at Art-Icon .. the amazing European crew that organised the giant epic “Faces/Visages” exhibition in Arles France, which included my piece “100 Years and 3 Weeks – Alf Neal OAM”, back in July.
The exhibition description supplied … “Sex and Politics” is a contemporary photography exhibition taking place in Paris from November 13–16, 2025, which coincides with Paris Photo. The show, located at the Bastille Design Center, explores how sexuality, desire, and power intersect in photography. It features artists whose work addresses themes like the political nature of sexuality, the body in culture, and digital intimacy. “Sex and Politics” explores the intersections of sexuality, representation, and power in contemporary photography. The exhibition features artists whose work engages the body, desire, and the cultural ideologies that shape them.
Fortunately I had one image that I felt fitted the bill … and Danila at Art-Icon agreed.
I made the photograph of delightful Cairns girl Bonn Marie a couple of years ago. The rationale was to revisit the impact that the “Red Velvet” images of infamous actress Marilyn Monroe back in 1949 made in a building a sexual revolution in the 50’s.
2022 marked the 60th anniversary of the death at 36 of Marilyn … the planet’s greatest ever sex symbol . There were countless photographs made of her during a far too short career as an actress and centre of massive unrelenting attention. What I aimed to portray was an image of ‘Marilyn’ in the vintage style of the mid last century when she infamously captivated audiences around the World. The image mirrors the work of US photographer Tom Kelley, who originally shot those infamous “Red Velvet” photographs before her acting career took off. Tom’s image didn’t receive much attention until Hugh Hefner selected it as the first centrefold in the very first edition of Playboy Magazine in 1953.
Marilyn Monroe’s Playboy centrefold was historically significant, influencing the portrayal and public acceptance of the female form in a ground breaking way, shattering norms and redefining the place of women in society. The image was a pivotal element in Playboy’s goal to define sex as a socially acceptable subject and provide a new outlet for female sexuality. . Kelley’s image played a key role in shaping 20th century history, spawning a new reality of female sexuality and a sexual revolution, whilst catapulting the subject of feminism into the political arena. Female empowerment was on the march …
Will be eternally grateful to Bonn for her stunning portrayal and interpretation of an historic photograph that changed so much … Massive Thanks, Bonn.
Also like to sincerely thanks Danila and Slavica from Art-Icon for inviting me to exhibit.
Bottom image © Brian Cassey
.
