‘When I don my latex dog mask, I feel transformed’ – in new show Voyeur, photographer Matt Ford documents the everyday lives of fetish practitioners
In the last few decades, attitudes towards sex and non-‘traditional’ expressions of sexuality have undergone a transformation. And yet, in more recent years, we’ve seen a move towards sex negativity, evidenced by increasingly strict online censorship, the rise (and mainstream acceptance) of anti-porn crusaders, and, of course, discourse about kink at Pride. But for every tweet, shadowban, or right-wing article that attempts to shame people for their sexual preferences or practices, there are others loudly celebrating them.
This is what London-based photographer Matt Ford wants to achieve with his new exhibition, VOYEUR, which is running this week at east London’s Espacio Gallery. “One of my initial goals was to go behind the trashy headlines and discover the real human aspect of the kink scene,” he tells Dazed. “I wanted to celebrate the community, and also show people outside it that just because your [expression of] sexuality is different, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.”
Encompassing still portraits and video interviews, the exhibition brings together a fascinating and diverse mix of fetish practitioners – from dominatrixes to leather fetishists to inflatable kink fans – each of whom shares stories about their sex lives and reflect on kink’s role as an avenue to explore their sexualities. The striking portraits, which feature subjects in their latex, masks, lingerie, and other fetish gear, offer a rousing, unapologetic insight into fetish culture.
VOYEUR is an extension of Ford’s 2021 project, Prints for Queers, a charity print sale and exhibition that comprised portraits of mainstream and underground queer performers, activists, and creatives, including the likes of Drag Race’s Ella Vaday and Crystal, as well as Trans Pride founder Lucia Blayke. But with VOYEUR, Ford wants to explore what the future of sexuality holds. “I didn’t want to just look at how the kink community approaches sex,” he says. “I wanted to see how bodies and minds that don’t fit society’s antiquated standards navigate their sexuality. The growing attitude with our generation is, ‘Who wants to live in a society where everyone pretends to be ‘normal’? So I think the future of sexuality is in the people who are sick of apologising – and who are breaking norms.”
Growing up hiding his “queerness and general weirdness”, Ford has always had a “fascination and admiration” for others who didn’t fit the ‘norm’. Now, he wants to let everyone know that “it’s okay to be fucking weird”. “I want people who see the exhibition to become more accepting and open-minded about sexual diversity.”
Below, some of the subjects featured in VOYEUR discuss common misconceptions about fetish culture, reflect on what their practice has taught them about their own sexuality, and share some tips for fledgling kinksters.
MISTRESS EDEN, PROFESSIONAL DOMINATRIX, GEORGIA, US
Mistress Eden is an adult creator and professional dominatrix who describes herself as a “nurturing sadist” with “supreme, divine, feminine energy”.
“Kink is non-conventional. Our kinky preferences come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, varieties, and intensities. To me, to be kinky is to be living in your truth despite what others may think. One common misconception people have about kink culture is that it’s unhealthy – but most of the BDSM relationships I’ve seen have been more healthy than the vanilla ones I know of.
My own kink can be described as sadism. Early on when I was a new domme, I knew right off that my kink was to dominate, and I developed that more by getting a mentor to ensure I was going about things safely and with proper knowledge. Recently, I’ve come to realise that I’m a nurturing sadist, meaning I want my clients to feel respected and heard. I give praise when it’s due, but I’m also firm and hand out punishments accordingly. Throughout my time as a domme, my self-confidence and self-love have grown immensely. Practising kink made me feel sexy, and gave me the confidence to display that in my own relationship.
I hope that people see this exhibition and know not to let the world define them. As a girl from a small town, raised in the church, I am constantly going against all of the things I was taught were taboo. I’m a wife, a mom, and still sexy as hell.”
JORDAN TANNAHILL, KINKSTER SPECIALISING IN ROLE PLAY, LONDON
Jordan Tannahill is a Canadian writer, filmmaker, and kink-specialist who's embedded in London's queer fetish scene.
“Kink is about embracing sexuality in its most expanded manifestations, and collapsing the distance between one’s fantasy and lived reality. When I don my latex dog mask, I feel transformed. I like becoming other-than-human – being in a different body, a different mindspace. I’ve been exploring my kink for roughly four years now. I found my way into wearing the mask through the underground, queer rave scene in London. It can feel almost ritualistic to me when I wear the mask at a rave, as if it’s part of some kind of elaborate queer rite. Over the past three years, I’ve specialised in kink and role-play – [this has helped me] refine my practice and understand it in relation to other people’s kinks and desires.
Practising kink has taught me that my sexuality is far more expansive and complex than simply a desire to have sex. It can involve narrative, metaphor, ritual, transformation, spirituality, and commerce. It’s also helped me redefine my relationship with my own body.”
WILL ROCKVILLE, ADULT CREATOR, MILTON KEYNES
Will Rockville is an adult creator and leather fetishist, who’s found true belonging in the kink scene.
“Kink, to me, is an obsessional, edgy interest in something most people in wider society find dangerous, scary, or maybe a step too far. My kink is leather (mainly), BDSM (mildly), and role-play. I love the smell, feel, and strength of leather, so I was drawn in from my early years by the likes of car seats, jackets, and sofas. My leather practice has developed over time with me buying more and more gear. I have jackets, harnesses, kilts, waistcoats, thongs, gloves, hats, masks and hoods, crops, Dr Martens and cowboy boots, lederhosen, and blindfolds. I bought my first full-body harness back in 1996.
“I think most people misrepresent the leather community as being aggressive, selfish and demanding. The general kink community is incorrectly viewed as being a bit unhinged, and something that should be treated with great care and wariness. All of this is so false, as the community is probably more welcoming and inclusive than any other sector of society. Since being involved in kink culture, I’ve actually found myself. My self-confidence and self-belief have grown, and I feel very empowered when I’m wearing my leather kilt. Sexually, I feel a bit feral when I’m leather-clad. I’ve found I have a wilder, edgier side, as I’ve become more at-home in my leather gear.
“For anyone thinking of exploring kink: find something that really gives you a rush of blood. Don’t pursue it as a fad or a fashion – you really need to believe in it. You can push your involvement as far as you feel comfortable; you’ll never be judged if you don’t want to take things as far as others, nor if you want to go beyond the limits of others.”
VEE, KINK PRACTITIONER, LONDON
Vee is a queer kink practitioner who describes herself as “fat, feral, and freaky”.
“At its most simplified, I identify as a dominant-leaning switch. I basically gave up on a lifetime of fighting against being described as a bossy woman and it being a negative trait. I found people who embraced me for my natural power; I explored and pushed my own self-imposed restraints in safe company, and let my own sexuality flourish in a safe environment. I’m a ‘bossy’ woman and I’m finally proud of that.
“There’s this idea that ‘kink sex’ is riskier than ‘vanilla’ sex. I remember people saying to me, ‘I just hope you are safe’. I found that so wild because I’ve never felt safer. In my experience, people who practice ‘kink sex’ well are more aware of consent, limits, and are far more open in their communication with their partners.
“Practising kink has allowed me to push past a lot of shame. Being open to new ideas – whether that be sexually or otherwise – fosters growth, expansion, and camaraderie I hadn’t experienced before. Being surrounded socially by others who’ve also shed their shame breeds really beautiful and deep connections quite quickly. I’ve never met a group of more compassionate people than those within the queer and kink communities. [I hope his exhibition helps people realise that those] who practice BDSM aren’t all thin, able-bodied, cis, young, and white. It’s not an aesthetic that you have to fit to belong in kink spaces or to have kink sex. Question what society at large tells you is ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and shed your shame like a snake.”
INFLATEACUB, INFLATABLES KINK PRACTITIONER, BRIGHTON
Inflateacub’s fetish is inflatables, which, as he explains in VOYEUR, manifests itself in a little-known film called Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
“My kink is for inflatable suits and down gear (puffer). I really enjoy the feeling of being an exaggerated shape, and even better if it has a high shine to it. I’ve kept my kink a secret my whole life, but tried over the past few years to be more open with it. I started opening up to friends, and then eventually got asked to perform in one of my inflatables in a club. Since then, I’ve really enjoyed having inflatable photo shoots and getting involved in alternative kink projects.
“When my kink was still a dirty little secret, every little thing to do with it seemed so crazy and horny – but with that came shame, due to hiding it from the world. Now I’m more open with it and have explored more, I know the little quirks that press the buttons so I can tailor sessions to my needs, which are oftentimes specific scenarios or buzzwords. When I wear [my inflatable] suit, I feel a deep sense of sexual validity – it symbolises that my kink is real, tangible, and to be taken seriously.”
AUDREY BRYNN, PROFESSIONAL DOMINATRIX, LONDON
Audrey Brynn is an adult creator, escort, and self-described “queer, hairy pro-domme”.
“My own kink is constantly evolving, but the core has always remained the same: power and taboo. I’m a switch, so I enjoy exploring these themes in multiple ways, both with and without power dynamics. I grew up never feeling like I was able to talk about sex generally – where there’s repression, there usually comes a drive to want to explore the forbidden and exist alongside it, maybe even fuck it. Kink has taught me to revel in my grossness and taboo interests, because there’s always someone just as disgusting as you. And hey, they might be fit too. Then you can do those things together, consensually and safely.
“When practising kink, you have to be a good communicator. If you can’t communicate directly and honestly, then fetish play could end up becoming very dangerous. There are lots of great resources online, or, if money allows, you can always book a session with a professional to help guide you through play. [It’s important to know] what’s ‘green light’ behaviour – asking you for your triggers, discussing safe words, listening to and sticking to your boundaries – versus ‘red light’ behaviour – no discussion around safety, unclean equipment, refusal to discuss STI status or shaming you if you want to talk about it. No one is going to laugh at you if you say, ‘Hey, I’m a bit out of my depth here’. If anything, people will massively respect you for just being honest and putting their needs and safety over your own want to explore and play sexually.”
VOYEUR is open from now until December 4 at east London’s Espacio Gallery. You can find out more and book tickets here.