How does Van Gogh lead to the creation of a sex toy art revolution?

Belle Palmer is a Canberra artist and tattooer currently based out of Fremantle Arts and part of a new exhibition After the Past at SOAD Gallery. But since finishing art school at ANU has been experimenting with some unusual creative implements and shaking up what it means to be an artist.

When Van Gogh Alive came to town last year our Instagram feeds were flooded with selfies taken among the fake sunflowers and mirrors of the pop up ‘experience’. An influencer moment that looks cool but ultimately a marketing ploy to reach more eyeballs and sell tickets. Creating generic art moments made primarily for maximum social media penetration.

“Why would a government fund something like this when there are so many beautiful emerging artists from the ACT here?”

This led to the Art Wanker series, an exploration of experimental drawing & painting with vibrators. Making fun of an art industry that’s surrounded by wankers, an industry obsessed with dead white guys and viral moments but also looking within. Through art school Belle found their drawing machines and technique were becoming serious, made from steel, rope and bicycle parts.

“I felt like a lot of my older work…was appealing to a certain type of audience that was really quite academic. And I think I wanted to make fun of that and kind of call myself a wanker at the same time…I think wanted to take the piss out of that”

Despite the electronic wires and plastic mass produced stimulating instruments, the results are organic, fluid and mesmerising. Unfolding sometimes in front of audiences or behind closed doors in a rooms filled with fishing line & wire. The dangling dildos work their magic in some cases for over 4 hours to reach their creative climax.

“A lot of the sex toys that I have been drawn to using have been those really old shitty ones… like the ones you wouldn't actually use on a person anymore, made out of plastic and has seams all over it and attached to battery packs”

And this experimentation has creeped from the canvas to the skin. What was once reserved for their friends is now becoming a highly sought after addition to the wider tattoo enthusiast. Belle aka Lil Daddy Pokes as the name suggests does all their work by hand, both freehand drawn and stick & poke applied. Unlike with the sex toys there is no familiar hum, without tattoo machines the process is slower but more intimate and accessible.

“I think it's been a very special moment in my life being able to share my work. So immediately and incredibly permanently.”

`Tattoo by @lil.daddy.pokes aka Belle Palmer`

It’s an experience that is unique and strays away from the traditional lines of tattooing. Highly individualised to the skin, contours and shapes of a client. Drawn directly on the skin and drawing on past abstract patterns or textures.

“A lot of my clients come in not really fully knowing where the day will be going.”

Belle’s background in print media and drawing in art school has helped shape the new techniques they are using in tattooing. Throwing out the traditional sketch, traces process and asking why not experiment and explore a more authentic way of mark making on the skin.

“It's really cool to see this whole new genre of tattoo come out where it’s a lot more organic and natural and almost treating the tool like a pencil”

For some a small line, smudge or simple dot collection can completely express their identity.

“It's very scary because, I do a tattoo and I'm like, is this going to be the day that this is going to be too abstract for someone? But it’s never like that… I really appreciate the amount of trust that each client has with my ability to make art.”

Belle is continuing to explore the Art Wanker series while in Fremantle and is planning a touring show featuring Canberra queer and gender diverse artists.

Follow at @belle__palmer & @lil.daddy.pokes

Taking on the art wankers with sex toys