Sierra Brill

My work explores and critiques the way much of society shames sexual exploration, puberty, and the relationship one has with their own body. Sex education, especially concerning bodies with uteruses, has a history of censorship that I strive to overturn through my practice. I utilize found objects and imagery to create video performances, drawings, and zines that subvert damaging social stigmatizations around subjects such as masturbation, functions of genitalia, and the growth of body hair. I use humor and the language of portraiture to bring these conventionally private experiences into the public domain. The whimsical or goofy quality to my work offers an access point for viewers to engage with these taboo themes of sexual health and education more comfortably. With the use of overt sexual imagery and casual but nuanced language regarding sex, my video performances and drawings directly challenge traditions of omission in education and work to eliminate the fear of being shamed for asking questions. My practice creates a space for viewers to explore these topics as individuals as we work towards a more progressive view of sexuality.