Michelle Mildenhall: Kinky Latex Art

Michelle Mildenhall: Kinky Latex Art
We just adore these provocative but super fun, latex artworks by UK artist Michelle Mildenhall. It’s not apparent from these reproductions (see above) of her work – but these artworks are made from latex, they have a textured/3D quality, even the ‘canvas’ is actually sheet latex.

Michelle is a rubber lover, “I love the smell, feel and look of latex. It excites me,” says Michelle. “Whenever I slip into it I feel sexy; it gives me a feeling of empowerment. Which I feel is something the characters in my work share — even the gagged and bound ones!”

It was while making a latex outfit for herself she hit on the idea of using latex as a medium for her art. “Visually it’s such a beautiful material it really deserves to be looked at and admired,”says Michelle.

(See right: Meticulous construction in sheet latex is used to produce this extraordinary art.)

Her work predominantly portrays dramatic portraits of powerful women (despite the sub imagery) with a fetishistic element. All are drawn from real subjects who remain easily recognisable despite the highly stylized almost pop-art quality of the finished pieces. “My portraits come from analysing the subjects and stripping them down in a minimalist style whilst retaining their character. I want the viewer to be drawn to their characters and to be intrigued by them,” explains Michelle.