Ariel Vargassal

In this new body of work, Sex, Love
and
Other Daemons, I’m exploring the human
emotions related to
Love, and sex.
Translating into images otherwise abstract
subjects: Pain, disillusion, betrayal, desire,
etc. Drawing from
childhood impressions of
tribal ceremonies, role play, and the
complexities of hidden identities to explore
evolving social and
sexual norms.
By concealing their "real life" identity, my
subjects
are free to engage in
unconventional sociosexual exploration,
while their “Mexican inspired “animal masks
make them more
relatable to the observer.

As children we play to explore each others'

bodies, sexuality and gender roles, but we
soon learn to hide
or repress any desire that
might not fit within the social norm. The

animal masks are an attempt to soften the
figures so they are
less threatening and more
relatable."

By prodding the boundaries
of polite
society, I hope to bring out the deeper
desires in
us all.