The current work of photographer David Lawrence features an exhibition of Shibari, the erotic rope bondage of Japan. The show, at the Aphrodite Gallery contains more than thirty photographs of four different female models.
Like most modern fetishes, Shibari evolved from a more mundane application; in this case, rope bondage was a form of punishment in feudal Japan. In the 16th century Edo period, a specialized form of rope bondage was used to restrain prisoners. In some cases, prisoners were displayed in public as part of the punishment. According to legend, the knots and rope work used were able to identify the crime, social class and even the occupation of the criminal.
The photographs of Lawrence reflect this tradition with the eye of a seasoned professional. Shibari uses an elaborate system of knots and ties, which accentuate as well as immobilize the subject.
Lawrence shows his models, all women in this exhibit, in various stages of bondage, capturing the perfect moment of transcendence, the bound subject immortalized for eternity on film.
The images are crisp, black and white photographs, well lit and well posed. Lawrence's attention to detail stems not just from his background as a photographer but also from his participation in the Shibari scene. At the opening reception he greeted guests with his slave/partner and model Judy at his side.
When asked how she felt seeing the images of herself on display, Judy responded that the experience had been a positive one.
"It has changed my life dramatically," Judy replied explaining the amount of trust involved in their relationship.
Lawrence, a photographer by profession and Judy, began their exploration into erotic rope bondage last year after seeing a demonstration at the Libertarian Ball, a local fetish extravaganza.
"We used rope from the Home Depot," explained Lawrence who added, "We started with nylon and moved on to hemp." Lawrence also noted that he liked the qualities which hemp provided over nylon, including the texture on film.
These textures are one of the greatest features of the work. Lawrence skillfully depicts the absence of bondage in his photographs of the indentations left by the rope on the models. The juxtaposition of the taught, firm fiber of rope against the supple skin of the subject is what makes these images so captivating.
The idea of bondage in art is not new. However, the cultivated application of the rope against the sensual female form, the lighting and composition of Lawrence's erotically charged imagery, retain for Lawrence's work, the standing of Fine Art.
One viewer at the opening remarked that he was so intrigued by the finished photograph that he would like to have been able to follow the photography session in its entirety, including the process of applying the bondage.
Lawrence's next project is the production of a book of Shibari to be published late this year by German publisher, Bruno Gmunder.
The exhibit ran through May 31 at the Aphrodite gallery, upstairs at Passional, 704 South 5th Street. The gallery is open on Sundays from 2-6 PM. For more information and to see other images of Lawrence's work, visit his website here.
