"Sex Sells: The Power & Influence of Sexual Imagery" ends tomorrow

Sex Sells: The Power & Influence of Sexual Imagery at Jackson Junge Gallery, 1389 N Milwaukee, ends tomorrow

Sex piques your interest and draws you in, so for the briefest of moments you are open to whatever other material is presented. Just the word ‘sex’ creates curiosity and excitement. Since as early as the 19th century, sexual imagery has been used as a marketing tool, and its prominence in today’s advertisements has risen to an unforeseen degree. 

Exhibit Highlights: 
“Snacks Sell Sex,” Jenna Stempel (Digital Art, 9.15” x 10”) 
In this piece local artist Jenna Stempel decided to comment on the ridiculousness of the M&M advertising campaign by flipping “Sex Sells” to “Selling Sex.” Unfortunately for the Green M&M, the ad campaign got her into some shady stuff and consequently she was arrested. Stempel says, “With her bedroom eyes and luscious lips, all she needed was some ripped fishnet stockings and smudged eye makeup to complete the image of a prostitute. The absurdity of the illustration stems from the fact that we have a mascot for a candy company that is meant to sell sex, not snacks.” 

“Always on My Mind,” David Springmeyer (Digital Photomosaic, 24” x 18”) 
This photomosaic consists of hundreds of images of risqué French postcards. The French were among the first to realize the commercial uses of the camera and these nude postcards were marketed to artists as a less expensive means of painting nudes. Why pay a model when an inexpensive photo would do? Photos were sold in a monthly magazine called "La Beauté" that targeted artists looking for poses. When taken as a whole, the mosaic creates the image of Sigmund Freud, who as we know, always had sex on the mind. 

“Sister Midnight,” Anita Pettinato (Acrylic on Canvas, 71” x 48”) 
Australian artist Anita Pettinato explores the fine line between porn and art in this bold piece. She questions how an artist might navigate expressing lust and desire without going into the territory of pornography. While Pettinato expresses erotic lust and desire, she maintains a safe distance from pornography. How is this determined? Pettinato says, “It has to be visually attractive and abstracted—a well-educated approach to the erotic.” 

The Jackson Junge Gallery features the work of Laura Lee Junge and other contemporary artists. The Gallery is open every day of the week, free of charge.

Hours: Monday thru Saturday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday: Noon – 5 p.m.

For more information, visit website.