NSFW explores the realms of erotica and pornography as a commodity.

In a series of digital drawings, I interpret pornographic images dating from 1950 to 1990. The
photoshoots felt pure, somewhat funny, with hints of glamour, unironic irony, and undertones
of seriousness. With this in mind, I employ a sense of comedy in each drawing with playful
colours and crayon lines to hopefully lessen the filth a little bit, but only a little bit.

Made alone in my bedroom, where I spend most of my time and where I watch porn. I always
stream it on my phone, in bed, in incognito mode, volume to a minimum, and quite often in the
middle of the day, especially if I lack energy and don't have time for a full nap. I still hold shame
around consuming pornography. Even though I know in this 21st-century sex-positive world, I
shouldn't be.

I opt for Bellesa, a free porn webpage run by women (apparently, I don't actually know, and if
it isn't, they sell it pretty well). Categories include sensual and passionate, just enough faked
emotional intimacy to fuel the suppressed demi-sexual in me. Occasionally, I step into Only
Fans when my bank account allows it, and I feel particularly horny. I usually skip through most
of the fellatio (if I'm short on time); it doesn't seem to do it for me, but I'll see it through on a
slow day. I'll often use the material for momentum and finish without it, usually with a current
crush in mind, or relive a previous sexual exchange that left me gobsmacked.

For me, pornography has one main goal, I want to see bodies, preferably strangers, have sex,
feel aroused, and climax. I want to detach from the meaningless tasks I should be doing
instead. I like the endorphins without the commitment. No mess, no cleanup, no one else
involved, just me, my hand, and two (maybe three or more) strangers that perform in front of
a camera so people like me can get off. I always wonder with porn sets if they shake hands
afterward, like at the end of a social sports game when you acknowledge the other team.
Going down the line, a slight nod, "good game". I imagine they pat each other on the back and
say, "nice work, you did great", right after she cleans the come off her face. A professional
exchange of bodily fluids.

This series pays homage to those performers. Although seemingly fictitious, each individual
character is derivative of an actual stranger (though probably well into their 80s or perhaps
even dead now), whipping their tits out and getting erections all for the good of humanity, and
so people like me can jerk off.

Olivia Asher (she/they) is a multi-disciplinary takatāpui artist based in Tamāki Makaurau. With
vulnerability being the central focus of her practice, she reveals herself in layers. Exploring
interchangeable planes of the psyche and self-perception, expressing how these present
themselves in physical form and a broader social context.

Olivia is currently studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Arts (English Major) at
the University of Auckland and Elam School of Fine Arts