LA PETITE MORT

LA PETITE MORT is a new series of works in progress exploring the exhilarating ‘losses’ that occur during a sexual climax. A French term literally translating as ‘the little death’ – which commonly refers to an orgasm – to describe the temporary bodily and psychological ‘loss’ one experiences during climax. In the 16th century the term la petite mort was originally used to refer to a nervous spasm or a fainting episode, it even appeared in work by the 19th century writer and poet Thomas Hardy. I have applied visual metaphor and collage to capture these transcendental moments but I intend this series will progress to include multi-sensory ingredients over time, including edible versions.