So I asked Adam a few interesting questions…  Here’s what AHR has to say for his SEXY self:

What is it about the human form that inspires you the most to paint?  I find it amazing that almost any emotion can be expressed by the human figure alone. Once I began to focus on individual body parts, I found the same was true there.  It’s fun to play with that and see what kind of stories can be told.

When asked about his romantic endeavours, he says he is SINGLE, but dating (a beautiful poetess) and that of course they inspire him!  

Do you solely paint female nudes?  And why not men?  LOL!!!  I don’t necessarily only paint females, female nudes, or solely erotica;  I painted this series with one question in mind, “what turns me on?”  

What is your ideal female body type to paint?  There is no ideal female body type to paint, I honestly find all different shapes, sizes and colors to be fantastic!  What’s your favorite hair color on the ladies?  I don’t have one.  Depending on the woman and her personality, each color could work very well.  Ladies, this romantical artist does NOT discriminate!

 Do you work in other mediums, other than oil?  I draw in charcoal a lot, I used to sculpt in clay and cast in bronze. I love water colors, pastels, you name it!

Artist Statement

“I am a story teller, and my art enables an individual’s story to be told when words fail.  I paint because it is a compulsion.  It enables me to vocalize the beauty I see in the human figure, show the horrors of life, inform, warn, and at times entertain. My paintings are confrontational yet playful.  Over the years painting has become my form of prayer, it is my meditation.  My use of color is bold, and my palette varies from artwork to artwork.  The marks I make at times appear spontaneous, but are applied deliberately.  I choose to paint intensely focused observations of the human figure in order to cull visceral reactions from the viewer.  I play on the base emotions of humanity in order to speak to as wide an audience as possible, and to rebel against elitist motivations.  It is my goal to make fine art that is accessible by people of all classes, races, educational backgrounds, and professions.  Every portrait I paint is not only of the subject, it is also a glimpse into my own psyche.  My own personal story can be seen through each individual’s portrait I paint.  When people view my paintings I want them to enter into the work with their own perspectives and leave taking with them something new that resonates personally for them.  It is my goal to entrance the viewer in the same way that a good story teller captures their audience’s attention for hours. “– AHR

Adam recently moved to Pittsburgh and may have abandoned the Eagles, Flyers, Phillies and 76ers, lol, but he’ll be back for a SEXY and probably ZANY Closing Reception on Friday, February 24th, from 7-9pm…  Skin and lithe bodies MAY be involved!  See you sexy art aficionados there!

Click to view slideshow.

Words from the artist:

The center piece of this show is a piece entitled “Swallowtail” and was created for an annual erotic art show in Oklahoma City called “Biting the Apple” in 2009.  It received “Best in Show” award.  “Swallowtail” was designed for the exploration of bondage/domination sexual fantasies.  In a typical application, the “submissive” participant is seated in the chair, while the the “dominant” observes and engages in the chosen fantasy interplay.

The “submissive” may face forward in the traditional way, or the chair may be “straddled” facing the back of the chair.  In either case, the chair is designed to hold the legs of the seated person significantly apart, while the split seat and open structure of the chair allow full access to the genitals.  It is important to note that the chair does not easily allow actual sexual intercourse. And this is not the purpose of most bondage and domination fantasies.  Far more significant is the awareness of the interplay and exchange of “power” between the participants.

The design of the chair insures that the person sitting on it, facing forwards or backwards, must “present” themselves in poses which, while not very comfortable, accentuate the feeling of being displayed.  Comfort, of course, is not the purpose of this piece.  The pedestal base is a permanent part of the chair structure, enhancing the sensation of exhibition. The elaborate construction of the chair features a repeating element of wings, as well as a variety of holes and “handholds” for purposes of bondage play.

Being tied up to someone’s kitchen chair is perhaps an economical and workable choice. Yet it lacks the ritual element and carefully designed options for the most satisfying experience. Consider the comparison between driving the most economical automobile available, and a high end sports car. Each will bring you to your destination, but one of them will make the ride a lot more memorable.

Also included in this exhibit are 3 pairs of high heel shoes (one created especially for this show – “the red queen”, and two existing pieces -”fauna” and “flora”.  Fauna and Flora were exhibited in july 2010 at Bambi Gallery’s second Biennial).  2 “orgone accumulators” (wood and metal “jewelry boxes” designed to hold sex toys, referencing the work of pioneering psychotherapist Wilhelm Reich)  And lastly, several hand made wooden “spankers or impression paddles” in the show each unique in design and intended to leave a particular pattern on the skin of the person being spanked. for instance, hot rod flames, or bubbles.

Join Hugh Meade for an opening reception this Friday, 11.11.11!  IF you need a reason to be out on 11.11.11 THIS IS IT!  The reception starts at 7pm and wraps up before we close up at SEXPLORATORIUM, by 10PM…  Located on the 3rd floor of SEXPLORATORIUM at 620 South 5th Street!  See ya there!

Here’s what Mr. Liptak says about his work:

My artistic expression began when a wood carving class drew my interest thirty years ago and it evolved into a career.   Carving bobbins and spools into Santa for Christmas shows has been rewarding, but when I started attending Science-Fiction/Fantasy shows, I realized I could expand my art into sexual/risqué themes without the threat of censorship.  A commission request to create a quarter-scale model of a classic bondage pose (Ball Tie) from an attendee at Marcon—an Ohio Sci/Fi Convention—introduced me to the Fetish community, expanding my erotic art even further.  Shows such as Anything For Love, Fetishcon, Frolicon, Shibaricon, Dirty Detroit have become part of the journey into self-awareness as well as an expansive form of my art expression.  Where did it begin?  My background is emergency medical and microbiology.  I believe my interest in the fetish art style has existed since childhood.  My two television idols were Julie Newmar as Catwoman and Carolyn Jones as Morticia Addams.  Both wore slick, black, tight outfits, carried whips and were socially accepted, respected and admired.  My work is highly detailed.  I love pretty knots.  Shibari ties incorporate the details of interest and the use of the human body as canvas—it is beautiful.  Unfortunately, the image lasts only the length of the scene.  Wood is lasting and translates images well, especially in the intarsia style.  Basswood is a wonderful flesh tone.  White oak can mimic the finest hand-made hemp.  Some woods, sanded smoothly and deftly painted, can give the look of leather or latex.  I appreciate the opportunity to exhibit at Aphrodite Gallery and much thanks to Kali Morgan and Eric Zonk.

Join us for our Artist Reception on 4th Friday of September (Friday, September 23rd) from 7 – 9pm, at SEXPLORATORIUM on the 3rd Floor!  Meet Rob Liptak and come talk sexy fetish art with Eric ZONK!  And enjoy some sips and nibbles, and maybe a paddlin’ or two! 

Here’s what Mr. Sonzogni has to say about his work:

This series of work was inspired by my fascination with the much hidden meaning of ABRAXAS – a mystic word/symbol representing perfect balance in the universe.  A balance that can only exist beyond the false dichotomies of good/evil, right/wrong, pleasure/pain, etc.  The Master&Slave theme of  this series is meant to express the joys of dominance and submission, and how neither one can exist without the other, but when combined, produce natural order.  Aesthetically, these photos are intended to have a rather authoritarian feel to them.  Featuring: heel worship, restraint, discipline and Germanic occult symbolism.  The Sisters of Abraxas are models, Marowit Adalinda Volkh and Marion Elizabeth Smoot.

As a photographer and dealing in eroticism, I seek to capture what I like to term as “the inner witch” in my subjects.  By “witch” I mean seductress or one who has the power to make you look.  My interest in erotic photography began with my love for glamorous looking women.  I have always preferred scantily dressed ladies over mere naked ones.  That is not to say I’m unable to see the beauty in a nude woman.  However, I find there to be a sense of magic in seeing a girl walk into a room wearing a mini skirt and high heels, with scarlet red lips.  If the straps of a garter belt are revealed, all the better I say!

I’m a self-taught free lance photographer residing in West Chester, Pennsylvania.  Although, I much enjoy eroticism, my creative energies are certainly not limited to just that.  I also relish in photographing a lot of still life, nature, animals and just basically whatever happens to grab my attention at a given time.  My work more than often does tend to lean towards the dark and macabre.  I have always had a fixation with… things the majority would prefer not to see, hear or talk about.  It is the most taboo of things in life that deserve my attention most I feel, as I have found there is usually much truth and wisdom in those shadowy corners of reality that frighten most.  My inspirations for themes may range from: the occult, mythology, war, horror films, books I read and more.  My ultimate goal at this point is to build a name for myself as a visual artist and to eventually gain a following of like-minded fans.

JOIN US for the Opening Reception on 4th Friday of June (June 24th) from 7pm – 9pm!  Meet the photographer and maybe even the Divas that are The Sisters of Abraxas!

THESE IMAGES ARE SO RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME AND FUNNY…you just have to come in and see them for yourself!  The show will hang through to the end of JUNE!  Don’t miss it!

The BDSM Literary Salon

Monday, April 25th, 7-9PM
In the Aphrodite Gallery at Sexploratorium
620 S. 5th St. in Philadelphia
FREE Admission, but tickets are limited!

Complimentary refreshments.
Click event title to register in advance
or call Sexploratorium 215-923-1398!

Georges Topfer illustration on a Jean de Virgan book representing a flogging in Ancient Rome

Share your works or those of others, or just come to listen & enjoy. Sexologist Susana Mayer will present a brief discussion and read excerpts from pieces produced during the “golden age” of early 20th century French spanking literature.

Prizes for original “classic-style” BDSM poetry reading!

Discount coupon to Philadelphia’s next Erotic Literary Salon for all who attend!

KINDRED KINK

“Kindred Kink” presents a collection of acrylic paintings, collage and drawings that depict a variety of relationships, BDSM and fetish themes, uniting our widely diverse community as one kinky tribe, celebrating our differences and similarities, no matter our sexual ID or proclivity.  The lighthearted “Magic Carpet Ride” and “Hold That Tiger”, and the more intense “Caged” all represent the FemDom sensibility, as do the unique collages “Roughing It” and “Catspirations”, which Lady Laura describes as “FemDom Gone Wild.”

On the submissive side of things, “Dahlia Floating” is an ethereal representation of subspace, while “You Always Knew” and “Lily in Chains” express an introspective declaration of submissive desire.  There’s also a humorous nod to the 50’s household style in the collage “Domestic Bliss”.

Lady Laura’s signature fetish still life paintings group BDSM/fetish objects together with more traditional, yet subtly erotic, fruits and vegetables, as in “Collared Pepper” and “Late Summer Plums”.  The “Red Boots”, “Open Back”, “Shoe in Black & Blue” and “Just For Show” are strikingly straightforward celebrations of fetish wear, and the kinky mindset it takes to appreciate its beauty.

Also included in the show are several portraits of spectacular dominant Women: “Lady Ess” (Jan), “Ms James” (Feb), and “The Look” (Mar) are the first 3 of a 12-month calendar series.  Rounding out the exhibit is a series of 8 miniature drawings of female figures with a kinky flair.  These little jewels of fetish art offer the opportunity to own a Lady Laura original at an affordable price.  Also available for purchase are 20 different 5×7 greeting cards, as well as 11×14 prints of many of the paintings and collages in the show, which can be found in the Fashion boutique PASSIONAL at 704 South 5th street, just down the street from Sexploratorium (620 South 5th Street), the home of APHRODITE Gallery!

Please join us for a naughty celebration of her work and the wonderfully diverse world of Fetish, BDSM and Kink and kinksters on 4th Friday of March 25th, hosted by the fabulous Veronica Bound, from 7 – 9pm!

There  you will find the answers to most of your questions re: who to contact, how to present your work for consideration for exhibition and if and when you are booked/scheduled for a show in either location, under INFO for ARTISTS, are all of things you need to consider in preparation for your show!

We appreciate you taking the time to review ALL of this information before asking and inundating our staff with tons o’ questions…