Ira C Smith - Bondage Pair
Ira Smith's work is based on classic figure drawing of
the highest order, combined with a keen sense of style which gives
his work 'hang it on the wall', artistic credentials. This is not to say he holds back on erotic content
though and in 'bondage pair' two athletes are secured in a
humiliating, kneeling position, displaying their naked asses
provocatively through the bands of their jockstraps. There is
something very sexy about buddies being captive together, the
identical poses and clothing in Ira's picture play on that theme,
although the details of their bondage differ for some reason. One can
imagine these lads looking on helplessly as their team-mates are
taken, one at a time, then stripped and bound to join them.
Ira C Smith - Ringz
Ringz is an arty treatment of a classic punishment pose,
the imaginative floating rings help to create a dynamic impression of
struggle and comprehensive restraint. By omitting the engineering
details, Ira is free to home in on the taut, arched body. He uses
dark shading to emphasis the highlights and valleys of muscle
definition in almost photographic detail. This technique runs the
risk of 'breaking up' the subject's body and losing the sense of
bulk, but the white background mitigates this effect. The rope looped
round the waist and the blindfold give the image an extra, little
erotic kick. Notice the halo-like effect of the central ring, the
captive's head seems to be pushing through it, noose-like. The subtle
symphony of winding curves, continues bottom right, in a pattern
that seems to capture the snake-like sensuality of bondage rope,
while simultaneously suggesting celebratory garlands. This decorative
quality suggests the captor has complex motivations!
Ira C Smith - Connected
'Connected' cleverly weaves bondage ropes around two men
(refreshingly mature), who are locked in an embrace which might be
wrestling or love making. The discreet, downward pointing hand on
the stomach gives a clue to deeper intimacy. With it's tasteful
nudity and geometric balance, the composition is artistically
pleasing but also unexpectedly sexy. The ropes seem to be
simultaneously pulling the men together and apart and controlled by
hands unseen, which gives the piece a manipulative overtone and
imparts to us a tingling, voyeuristic quality. Connoisseurs of
'hidden eroticism' (see label below for more) can visualise what may ultimately be revealed by
the two lower ropes, drawing aside the mens' legs, like the opulent
curtains of a theatre.
Ira C Smith - Tied and Abused
Despite a similar, arty style, the content of 'Tied and
Abused' does not hold back at all from fetish expression. It is
evident that the kneeling captive has been spanked and some lash or
other implement has drawn blood. A brutal foot urges him in the
direction of an ominous square frame. The rope-work looping round
the captive's body is particularly prominent and sharply defined. It
continues, winding round the frame in similar manner to Ringz above.
In a curious trick of the eye his collar is actually already attached
to it. In this picture the darkly shaded torso is contrasted with
starkly white or line-art only areas, such as the hair and clothing,
it's a favourite technique of this artist. The artist Cavelo uses it
too, in order to differentiate characters in his drawings and if you
consult my A-Z
article on Cavelo you will see the similarities do not end there.
The quality of Ira Smith's art speaks for itself but it
rewards fetish enthusiasts who linger longer. You can see more of his
work and buy it at the Ira
C Smith website.
For previous articles in this series click on the A-Z label below
No comments:
Post a Comment