Dave Taylor
Silver Member
They are powerful images. I am huge fan Clive Barker's work, mainly his writing, but he does have an incredible imagination.
' Beginning '
Story of O is a small literary gem. It is also a dangerous book. It is a romance of violence written by a gentle French woman who for over forty years hid behind the name 'Pauline Reage'. It is a book which should come with a health warning... Story of O might seduce your heart. It might claim your soul. It could even change your life.
Originally published in France in 1954 by Jean-Jacques Pauvert, Histoire d'O relates the tale of a young Parisian fashion photographer, called O, and her willful debasement at the hands of her lover Rene and the members of a clandestine society dedicated to the pleasures of sadomasochism.
O is taken by Rene to a chateau 'Roissy' on the edge of Paris where she is systematically turned into a slave through sexual assaults, regular whippings, and long hours in solitude. Despite her harsh treatment, O grants permission beforehand for everything that occurs, and her permission is consistently sought.
Story of O is a small literary gem. It is also a dangerous book. It is a romance of violence written by a gentle French woman who for over forty years hid behind the name 'Pauline Reage'. It is a book which should come with a health warning... Story of O might seduce your heart. It might claim your soul. It could even change your life.
Originally published in France in 1954 by Jean-Jacques Pauvert, Histoire d'O relates the tale of a young Parisian fashion photographer, called O, and her willful debasement at the hands of her lover Rene and the members of a clandestine society dedicated to the pleasures of sadomasochism.
O is taken by Rene to a chateau 'Roissy' on the edge of Paris where she is systematically turned into a slave through sexual assaults, regular whippings, and long hours in solitude. Despite her harsh treatment, O grants permission beforehand for everything that occurs, and her permission is consistently sought.
UK artist and creator of this website (known to some as "Keeper of the Book" or 'Bookkeeper'). Over twenty large oil paintings and numerous drawings since 1996 all inspired by Story of O. Some now in private collections. Examples exhibited in London at the Coventry Gallery, Erotica (Olympia) and elsewhere. Featured in Skin Two, Desire, Marquis Fetish Images 2, Penthouse Fetish, and in the film 'Preaching to the Perverted'.
'Erotic Oscar' finalist (London 2000).
' THE STORIES OF O'
the series of twelve paintings (Above)
(all oil on canvas 200 x 140cm)
British artist Stephan has secured over the past few years a deserved reputation amongst a small number of collectors and devotees for a series of large oil paintings inspired by the French novel Story of O. Borrowing elements from the book Stephan has created a visual narrative richly colored and full of theatrical motifs such as burning candles, keys, masks, and draught blown curtains. In darkened rooms and cloistered gardens Stephan has caught his protagonists in freeze-frame and each frame has often as its focal point a semi-clad femme enfant with a sharp black 'bob' reminiscent of silent movie star Louise Brooks. Though intentionally erotic nothing is explicit and the viewer is invited to conjure his own interpretation of events, one or two of which are lifted directly from the novel.
Stephan first read the book in the 1970's shortly after it was published in Britain for the first time. By 1978 he was attempting to develop a small series of paintings inspired by the novel. Unable to achieve totally satisfying results Stephan put the 'O' project on a back burner pursuing other concerns and inspirations for eighteen years. Marks on a small canvas suggesting a face hinted at the possibility of a fully fledged 'O' series in the autumn of 1995. In his most recent work Stephan still explores the new found freedom of that initial tiny canvas and continues to seek out new ways of representing a certain eroticism not readily found elsewhere..."
Stephan first read the book in the 1970's shortly after it was published in Britain for the first time. By 1978 he was attempting to develop a small series of paintings inspired by the novel. Unable to achieve totally satisfying results Stephan put the 'O' project on a back burner pursuing other concerns and inspirations for eighteen years. Marks on a small canvas suggesting a face hinted at the possibility of a fully fledged 'O' series in the autumn of 1995. In his most recent work Stephan still explores the new found freedom of that initial tiny canvas and continues to seek out new ways of representing a certain eroticism not readily found elsewhere..."
A left handed wanker.... now that's intelligence right there... ...
Anna
Legend Member
interested people can read the book online too -
