Sacred Sensual Space - Ashley Charley

The creation of these works reflects my journey of escapism from being taken advantage of as an artist, being restrained as a woman, and feeling restricted in society. It represents a period in my life where at the time, I felt pressured by teachers only to create this aesthetic of art, and my enjoyment began to fade away. Looking back, these experiences reflect the ongoing act of reclaiming agency, an assertion of the right to exist, and seeking a space where the desire for liberation and autonomy flourish.
 
My quest for self-expression extends beyond the limitations set by preconceived notions of femininity, hyper-sexualization, and objectification of my Black woman body. Referencing my own body, abstraction takes over human forms to imagine the impossible. Exaggerating my form expresses my exploration of vulnerability and authenticity within the naked body. Through color and composition, the series is a metaphor for navigating the complexities of a Black woman’s self-expression in an esoteric dreamscape.