Tutu
I’m a performance artist, originally from Venice Beach, California, who relocated to London many years ago, though I now reside for most of the year with my girlfriend on a farm in the mountains of Spain. I first met Ashley, the photographer in 2004, when I was performing at the legendary Madame Jojo’s nightclub, deep in the heart of Soho. We quickly became friends and have worked together on numerous occasions. I love the fact that Ashley’s work encompasses diversity and veers away from representations of conventional beauty.
Being large is often seen as akin to being disabled in our society where perfection is increasingly a mandatory requirement for acceptance. Though I am never totally comfortable with my body, I enjoy exploring the shapes generated when I pose naked and am always keen to engage those possibilities. When I perform all of the gay boys love me, whilst straight men call me a ‘fat cow’ at the same time as trying to stifle their erections.
Riikka
My condition is known as Diastrophic Dysplasia, a type of dwarfism that is particularly common in Finland, the country of my birth. During my childhood and adolescence, I used to be extremely embarrassed about my body, but through many painful experiences I came to realize that there is just no such thing as a ‘perfect’ body. Nowadays I do not think of myself as being different, any more so than everyone is different from someone else. Through my artistic practice as a performer and model, I strive to show that feeling sexy and confident does not necessarily require fitting into predetermined stereotypes of normative beauty.
I have modelled for Ashley many times in the past and trust him implicitly, so have no objections to being photographed naked. Even in everyday life, I cannot hide away my imperfections behind clothes and make-up, so in a sense, I am always naked whether I wear clothes or not.
Mat Fraser
My impairment is known as Phocomelia, which means ‘seal-like limbs’. In my case, this was induced by the fact that my mother was prescribed Thalidomide when she was pregnant with me. I do have a small amount of humerus bone, and where the radius and ulna bones might be, I have a small plate bone, looking a little like the flipper bone of a seal; and I have no thumbs. My condition is constant, as opposed to degenerative, but I have over-compensated in other limbs, which are damaged by arthritis as a result.
I have collaborated with Ashley, the photographer, many times as I believe that it’s really important for disabled people to allow themselves to be identified as sexual beings, subjects, objects, people engaging with their sexuality and sexy feelings. I love to be stripped of all my clothing and to explore my glorious, naked disabled body and self, proud of who and what I am, and represent. I am proud and happy to be different and I do love being looked at, lusted after. When an image of my body disturbs the viewer, I like that too, as it means that in some way they are forced to reassess their perspective on sex, nakedness, beauty and disability.
Mark Sealey
I first met Ashley, the photographer, when I was performing at the Skin Two Rubber Ball several years ago. When he approached me and asked if I would consider posing naked, I had to think for a minute or two, as I had never considered the possibility.
It didn’t take me long to agree, primarily because I think it’s important for people with disabilities to be represented in the same way as anyone else. As one of the leading UK dwarf performers, I was used to being on display, onstage, so getting my kit off wasn’t actually so daunting. Ashley is very sensitive and relaxing to work with, and he was very receptive to my input in terms of ideas during the shoot.
I feel confident and comfortable in portraying myself as both sexual and sexy, and I think that projects such as this should be more widely promoted in order that the non- disabled community become more accepting and understanding in dealing with their disabled peers.
Paul Amey
Having lost my leg when I was nine years old, I grew up being very self-conscious with regard to people seeing my disability, and this impacted on and impaired my ability to engage in personal physical relationships, as this would obviously involve being seen naked with just part of a leg. Consequently I withdrew totally.
When I first became aware of the Outsiders Club, I felt that this might offer a way forward: perhaps other members with a range of disabilities — some visible, some not — would not find my body a total turn-off, as I expected many able bodied people to do.
For a long time, I have wanted to explore my sexuality and, in the back of my mind, have always had an urge to pose naked, but never expected that I would have the opportunity. When I was approached by Ashley and asked if I would agree to model as part of a project aiming to explore disability, sexuality and the body, I saw this as a perfect chance to dispel some of my embarrassment. I’m so glad I did, as during the photoshoot I felt very relaxed and had no concerns about my nudity, and I have to admit, in some ways I did find the experience sexually stimulating, as well as being empowering and cathartic.
Justine Natayla
Although I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1985, when I was twenty three, I did not consider myself to be severely disabled until I was awarded funding for a computer from Abilitynet, a charity which provided computers to disabled people.
My GP put me in touch with the Outsiders organization, and in August 2009 I attended their 30th anniversary meeting in London, which is where I first met Ashley, the photographer. He asked me if I would be willing to pose naked for him and the prospect appealed, as it seemed to be a way in which I could prove to myself, and to others, just how comfortable I am with my body, despite my disability.
Shortly thereafter, Ashley visited me at home in Brighton in order to photograph me in my own environment. When my clothes came off and the camera came out, did I feel vulnerable or exploited? No, I felt strong, autonomous, in control, and sexy. At one point I asked Ashley and his assistant to leave me for a while to rest, which they did, then after an hour they returned and we resumed shooting. Being respected and being able to retain some control during the session was in itself incredibly empowering.
My involvement in this project has been cathartic, fun and amazingly positive, so Ashley and myself intend to collaborate in the future in order to produce further images for exhibition.
Mat Fraser
My impairment is known as Phocomelia, which means ‘seal-like limbs’. In my case, this was induced by the fact that my mother was prescribed Thalidomide when she was pregnant with me. I do have a small amount of humerus bone, and where the radius and ulna bones might be, I have a small plate bone, looking a little like the flipper bone of a seal; and I have no thumbs. My condition is constant, as opposed to degenerative, but I have over-compensated in other limbs, which are damaged by arthritis as a result.
I have collaborated with Ashley, the photographer, many times as I believe that it’s really important for disabled people to allow themselves to be identified as sexual beings, subjects, objects, people engaging with their sexuality and sexy feelings. I love to be stripped of all my clothing and to explore my glorious, naked disabled body and self, proud of who and what I am, and represent. I am proud and happy to be different and I do love being looked at, lusted after. When an image of my body disturbs the viewer, I like that too, as it means that in some way they are forced to reassess their perspective on sex, nakedness, beauty and disability.
Riikka
My condition is known as Diastrophic Dysplasia, a type of dwarfism that is particularly common in Finland, the country of my birth. During my childhood and adolescence, I used to be extremely embarrassed about my body, but through many painful experiences I came to realize that there is just no such thing as a ‘perfect’ body. Nowadays I do not think of myself as being different, any more so than everyone is different from someone else. Through my artistic practice as a performer and model, I strive to show that feeling sexy and confident does not necessarily require fitting into predetermined stereotypes of normative beauty.
I have modelled for Ashley many times in the past and trust him implicitly, so have no objections to being photographed naked. Even in everyday life, I cannot hide away my imperfections behind clothes and make-up, so in a sense, I am always naked whether I wear clothes or not.
Jimmy is deaf and blind.
I am very body confident because my body is comfy and I think a lady would like my body and my bum. I think maybe I’m good looking, but I am funny and would make a good partner. I would make her feel sexy and have fun like put cream on bum and lick off, haha. I like to think of sexy curvy lady as it makes me feel sexy too.
I did have fun at the photoshoot as I like wearing my pink thong and I have started to do housework naked like washing up and hoover! I love to cuddle and can’t wait to cuddle curvy lady!
JJ is a clown and interpreter for the deaf and blind.
My involvement with Jimmy started in 2003 at which time he was very quiet and wasn’t really doing much. He didn’t enjoy any quality of life, there was no encouragement to try new things, and no new conversations about his past to spark new ideas. So, I am proud to say, I changed things with my controversial way of working, using clowning, humour and love. In time Jimmy and myself built up a relationship and trust and though he can’t hear or see, we have since discovered that he has a great love of music, clubbing, food, theatre, watching DVDs, and life in general. Jimmy has such a thirst for life and it is that which keeps me going.
Solitaire is a writer and performer.
I first met Jimmy and JJ when I was performing at Sunset Strip, a striptease club in Soho, about three years ago. They ‘watched’ me dance onstage and I was struck buy JJ’s dedication to communicating my show to Jimmy; it was clear that JJ wasn’t seeing me for himself at all, wasn’t becoming involved personally in watching my performance, even as more and more of my clothes came off! For those six minutes he was totally and utterly a channel through which Jimmy could enjoy the show. I had never seen anything like it.
Ju90
Disabled people are generally seen as being asexual and genderless, and images of us are largely confined to medical or charity based usage. But in fact we are as able to form relationships and live life to the full as everybody else, and we are represented in every walk of life.
Ashley is a wonderful photographer to model for, as he is able to show beauty and strength where others see only ugliness and dis-ability. I have collaborated with him on several occasions for various projects, and I feel very proud whenever I look at the photographs he has taken of me.
Gary Stretch
My condition is known as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. It’s extremely rare and can affect different organs in the body; in my case it primarily affects the skin. I had never really thought about using my difference as performance until my partner persuaded me to enter a talent night at a local pub. I won, and the next week was signed up for a part in a movie. Things haven’t really looked back since then, so I’ve been able to turn what some people may see as something negative into a lucrative and enjoyable career. According to the Guiness Book Of Records, I have the world’s stretchiest skin and I now tour with the Circus Of Horrors.
Ashley is well known for sensitively photographing those whose appearance or lifestyle may cause them to operate outside of mainstream society. Many of my friends have also posed for him, so when he asked me to model, I saw no reason to decline his offer. Along with out mutual friend, the legendary pierced pensioner Prince Albert, Ashley visited me at my cottage in the North East of England, to do the photos and conduct an interview.
My condition does have other medical implications aside from its effect on the skin, but I try to concentrate on the benefits and the enjoyment I bring to myself and to others when I perform. I believe that disabled people should be represented in all walks of life and in all kinds if imagery, especially that which shows them as sexy and strong.
Mat Fraser
My impairment is known as Phocomelia, which means ‘seal-like limbs’. In my case, this was induced by the fact that my mother was prescribed Thalidomide when she was pregnant with me. I do have a small amount of humerus bone, and where the radius and ulna bones might be, I have a small plate bone, looking a little like the flipper bone of a seal; and I have no thumbs. My condition is constant, as opposed to degenerative, but I have over-compensated in other limbs, which are damaged by arthritis as a result.
I have collaborated with Ashley, the photographer, many times as I believe that it’s really important for disabled people to allow themselves to be identified as sexual beings, subjects, objects, people engaging with their sexuality and sexy feelings. I love to be stripped of all my clothing and to explore my glorious, naked disabled body and self, proud of who and what I am, and represent. I am proud and happy to be different and I do love being looked at, lusted after. When an image of my body disturbs the viewer, I like that too, as it means that in some way they are forced to reassess their perspective on sex, nakedness, beauty and disability.
Riikka
My condition is known as Diastrophic Dysplasia, a type of dwarfism that is particularly common in Finland, the country of my birth. During my childhood and adolescence, I used to be extremely embarrassed about my body, but through many painful experiences I came to realize that there is just no such thing as a ‘perfect’ body. Nowadays I do not think of myself as being different, any more so than everyone is different from someone else. Through my artistic practice as a performer and model, I strive to show that feeling sexy and confident does not necessarily require fitting into predetermined stereotypes of normative beauty.
I have modelled for Ashley many times in the past and trust him implicitly, so have no objections to being photographed naked. Even in everyday life, I cannot hide away my imperfections behind clothes and make-up, so in a sense, I am always naked whether I wear clothes or not.
Riikka
My condition is known as Diastrophic Dysplasia, a type of dwarfism that is particularly common in Finland, the country of my birth. During my childhood and adolescence, I used to be extremely embarrassed about my body, but through many painful experiences I came to realize that there is just no such thing as a ‘perfect’ body. Nowadays I do not think of myself as being different, any more so than everyone is different from someone else. Through my artistic practice as a performer and model, I strive to show that feeling sexy and confident does not necessarily require fitting into predetermined stereotypes of normative beauty.
I have modelled for Ashley many times in the past and trust him implicitly, so have no objections to being photographed naked. Even in everyday life, I cannot hide away my imperfections behind clothes and make-up, so in a sense, I am always naked whether I wear clothes or not.
Tutu
I’m a performance artist, originally from Venice Beach, California, who relocated to London many years ago, though I now reside for most of the year with my girlfriend on a farm in the mountains of Spain. I first met Ashley, the photographer in 2004, when I was performing at the legendary Madame Jojo’s nightclub, deep in the heart of Soho. We quickly became friends and have worked together on numerous occasions. I love the fact that Ashley’s work encompasses diversity and veers away from representations of conventional beauty.
Being large is often seen as akin to being disabled in our society where perfection is increasingly a mandatory requirement for acceptance. Though I am never totally comfortable with my body, I enjoy exploring the shapes generated when I pose naked and am always keen to engage those possibilities. When I perform all of the gay boys love me, whilst straight men call me a ‘fat cow’ at the same time as trying to stifle their erections.
Dominic
I am a tetraplegic, paralysed from the neck down, and use a ventilator in order to help me breathe. My injury resulted from a fall, which occurred fifteen years ago. I have a spinal cord injury, C3/C4 complete. This means that I cannot feel or move my legs or arms. I try to make the most of my time and as much as possible, focus upon my abilities rather than on my disabilities. I am at the same level of break as Christopher Reeve, (Superman), and I hope to do as much as he did to raise money for disability and to show that life does not stop after a spinal cord injury.
I decided to participate in this photographic project in an effort to show that disabled people are not just victims or objects of sympathy, but vibrant, warm human beings with feelings and passion who can have a sex life and enjoy themselves just like everybody else.
Sue Newsome
Following Sue being awarded an Erotic Award in 2008, she was invited to meet Dominic, who was keen to explore the benefits of receiving a sensual head massage, where the intent of the touch was to give pleasure rather than to perform a clinical function. They have been working together over a period of twelve months to explore the possibilities for eroticism, arousal and sexual pleasure. Sue is a business woman, counsellor, sexual educator and tantric sex worker and has worked in the field of sexuality for over ten years. She has particularly used her knowledge and experience of Tantra, the art of sacred sexuality, to develop multi-sensory experience.
Helen
I have MPSIV. This basically makes me small; my ligaments are lax so I find it hard to stand without support, and I also have hearing problems.
I chose to model for Ashley as I believe it’s important that everyone, including the disabled, are portrayed as ‘normal’. I do enjoy having my photo taken and also feel that everyone should have the opportunity to model nude if they wish to do so.
Before the photoshoot, Ashley and I had several discussions regarding how I would pose, so the images that resulted from the session came about from ideas generated from our collective inputs. Many photographs I have seen, supposedly representing the disabled community, are rather negative and asexual, but I wanted to show that we can be pretty too and I think this is something we achieved.
