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LAURAS BOWELS

Laura Matthews

Profile picture of Laura Matthews

I’m a multi-disciplinary artist exploring disability, queerness, and working-class life through fetish and kink subcultures. Using costuming and performance, I challenge norms and celebrate diversity. My working-class roots inspire me to highlight marginalized stories. Integrating fetish and kink elements, my art provokes thought and invites audiences to rethink identity and desire, celebrating defiance and solidarity.

I’m a multi-disciplinary artist exploring disability, queerness, and working-class life through f...

This collection of works explores the intersection of disability and queerness through the mediums of costume, performance, and sculpture, employing elements of fetish and kink aesthetics. Each piece delves into the nuanced experiences of individuals navigating these identities, challenging societal norms and stereotypes. Through intricate costume design, immersive performances, and thought-provoking sculptures, the collection offers a multi-dimensional exploration of themes such as agency, desire, and empowerment within marginalized communities. By centering on the disabled and queer experience while embracing fetish and kink aesthetics, the collection aims to foster dialogue, understanding, and empowerment for those often marginalized within mainstream discourse.

Final work

3 figures on a picnic table dress, wearing gimp/fetish masks surrounded by picnic items such as wine, a basket and bowls of lemons.

MXMMY BOWELS WILL SEE YOU NOW

Originally created for a group performance featuring a queer picnic on the train of the dress, this piece was transformed to explore a more provocative, purposefully posed context. By staging a polished, suggestive shoot with myself and two anonymous figures, I subtly delve into themes of fetish and collaboration, while also exploring the concept of literally objectifying myself to be eaten off of, yet retaining a sense of power.

person laying in dark field, wearing fetish costume and mask

LAURA BOWELS AND WHISTLES

person in a photo studio, with 2 large hand sculptures coming from their hands

WHAT COULD I DO IF I WAS BIGGER THAN YOU?

The outcome of the developing ideas and sculpture in the series called 'What could I do if I was bigger than you' successfully played with various themes of fetish subcultures blended with costuming and camp aesthetics. This was achieved notably through the texture of PVA glue to create a glossy effect, as well as the use of saturated colors, details such as red nails and bold tattoos, and a gold ring, all contributing to an atmosphere of humor and attention-grabbing.

  • person being whipped by another person on stage with a crowd watching
  • person being whipped by another person on stage with a crowd watching

Research and process

sketch on paper

LAURA BOWELS AND WHISTLES: SKETCH

A preliminary sketch of the LAURA BOWELS AND WHISTLES costume.

three sketches on paper

WHAT COULD I DO IF I WAS BIGGER THAN YOU?: SKETCHES

Some preliminary sketches for the WHAT COULD I DO IF I WAS BIGGER THAN YOU costume.

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LAURAS BOWELS

This collection of works explores the intersection of disability and queerness through the mediums of costume, performance, and sculpture, employing elements of fetish and kink aesthetics. Each piece delves into the nuanced experiences of individuals navigating these identitie...

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