Maria Vesterinen: Poly
Poly
“Sex toys are tools designed for joy in self-pleasure and intercourse. Sex toys include for example dildos and vibrators.”
Translated from the website of the Finnish Family Federation https://www.hyvakysymys.fi/artikkeli/seksuaalisuuden-sanakirja/
Some of the pieces in this exhibition have been included in my previous exhibitions (”Don’t you know it” 2016, Brick lane Gallery, London).
I returned to this topic because it has been wonderful to see how attitudes towards sex and sexuality have improved. Equality and consideration towards others have increased and even though there is still work to be done it is great that we encourage each other to enjoy life.
Joy. Joy is the thing on which I wanted to work.
Especially during these times we need joy and fun in our quarantine and for the time spent at home. Adult toys are meant to bring that to our lives and they can be enjoyed alone or together. Bright colors, fun shapes and silly names are also present in my works.
I hope that my pieces make the viewer smile and laugh a little.
In my previous works I highlighted the almost abstract shape hidden behind rectangles. The idea behind this was that often we don’t want to see the sexual aspects that are right in front of our eyes.
Even then I wanted to bring forth the pointlessness of a culture of shame. The colors and shapes of toys are cheerful and fun. They are to bring joy, not shame.
Ones own sexual life is a part of the self and a life-long adventure that may change throughout the years.
Sex is fluid and it should be enjoyed in a way that suits you. That is what the name of the exhibition, Poly, celebrates: there are many ways.
-Maria Vesterinen
Sanomatalo, 1.krsElielinaukio 2,
00100 Helsinki
Free entrance
