Carlee WrightErotica: An Exhibition to Arouse is on full-frontal display at Salem on the Edge for the month of February.
Since she opened her gallery last year, owner Melanie Weston has wanted to host an erotica show.
“I had been in an erotica show once and found it exciting,” she said. “…it pushed me to think about different imagery than what I was doing at the time.”
While a discussion of erotica may elicit a giggle, it is a genre steeped in historical significance.
“Artists have been making erotica forever. I think at one time or another most artists have made erotica art,” said Melanie, who also mentioned some of her favorite artists who dabbled in the erotic including Egon Schiele, Robert Maplethorp and Aubrey Beardsley. Additionally, she noted 18th, 19th and early 20th century Shunga prints.
“I wanted to show that there are different ways to see erotica and that it is ‘art.’ We are diverse in who and how we love or show love, and how we want to receive love. And however you choose to express your love/sexuality it’s okay as long as no one is hurt,” she said.
Melanie asked Chemeketa Community College Art History Instructor Deanne Beausoleil to jury the show, stating “I knew I needed to step away from that process.”
Deanne carefully selected 28 works of art from 19 artists. The range is reflective of the diversity of the subject matter and as varied as its history, which encompasses “the world and span[s] time from 40,000 BCE to now,” said Deanne in her statement on the show.
Deanne’s statement continues: “Art is about human experience. Erotica has always been part of human experience; it has a long tradition in art history.”
From beautiful boys to botanicals, couples to the gaze, the exhibit encourages contemplation of history, self and societal norms, as it presents an opportunity for thoughtful observation, examination and discussion. It’s also a unique collection of art to browse for the sake of browsing.
And although a lot of work, Melanie hopes to make the exhibition an annual occasion, so for artists who didn’t get in, or missed the call, keep an eye out next year.
The exhibit artists include Jaydon Aydelotte, Elizabeth Bauman, Peyton Birchler, Erik Brambila, Stephanie Brockway, Ellie Vanden Busch, Lauren Cooney, Anne Zach Ferguson, Joey Gomez, Alycia Helbling, Samuel Hoskins, Justin Lavery, Summer Reyes, Emily Sweet, Cory Timmons, T.M.A., Diane Trevett, Deanna White and Eric Wuest.
Don’t be shy. Pop in and take a peek. Salem on the Edge is located at 156 Liberty St. NE in downtown. It’s open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Info: 503-884-0635; https://salemontheedge.com/
The Instigator
