As with Freud’s notion of the ‘uncanny’, this void or lack is unnatural and thereby unsettling, and yet it reminds us of a forgotten truth. During Heidegger’s Sojourn to Greece, he was disappointed, at first, to find that the “essence” of “the flown gods” was absent from the architectural trappings, just as we might observe that body is absent in the Inversion, Perversion series. Ultimately, however, Heidegger discovered that the sublime encounter is evoked not by physical things, but by the revelation of the transience and incomprehensibility of “things” – the realization that “things” (such as the body) transcend any particular instantiation or representation.

Such seems the case with the erotic encounter of the body. The Inversion, Perversion images remind us that erotica is not localized to or by the body, but rather the erotic aspect of the image is in the act of revelation. It is in the reflexive engagement of the revealed body, rather than the body that is revealed, that we subjectively find meaning and excitement (or fear and anxiety).

Of course the inversion of light skin tones to dark also opens the door do a whole discourse on the racialization of eroticism and fetishism.. Overall, this series seems highly generative, both at the level of art and critical discourse. Look forward to seeing more!

Firstly, let me address your statement, wherein you state “I, and my family have been brutally attacked, by Thomas Hodges, for an opinion I made about a petition he asked members to sign”. I would like to ask when and how I brutally attacked your family and yourself, especially taking into account that we are not even physically acquainted?

For good measure, allow me to replicate the comment which you publicly posted on my Facebook personal profile wall, having previously sent me a request to be added as a friend:-

“Debra Bennett Way too many kids and parents on FB. I am an artist and the mother of a 20 year old daughter. This is not what kids should be looking at. Sorry, but when you look at the world through children’s eyes, art like this is harmful and confusing. We are exposed to too many sexual images and we should not push our rights and destroy young people in the process. I, for one, do not want to see nudity, erotica and borderline pornography on this site. The body is a beautiful thing, but I do not want to look at someone’s genitals on my wall or page. Neither do my artist friends. My daughter and her friends would be appalled. I hope FB does not change it’s standards of respect and responsibility to the millions of people on this site. There are hundreds of places you can expose your art. This is not one of them. Rights are one thing, using those rights to get your own way should not be pushed upon people who do not have that type of mind set. We have rights as well. If FB allows this type of material, they will lose millions of subscribers. It takes a village to raise our children and this is downright irresponsible. Just to make a point? I think not. Please don’t barrage me with hate comments. I’ll just delete them. I’m sorry, but I have a right to my opinion and this petition is downright selfish and self serving.”

Now, allow me to replicate my singular response, as also posted on my Facebook personal profile wall:-

“Your comment displays a very blatant ignorance, particularly of the arts. You have painted a very accurate picture of yourself, your Daughter and your mentality as a whole, so I don’t see as anybody really needs to comment further. I feel sorry for both you and your family.”

You go on to claim “I have had such remarks from him before, but never reported him”, kindly provide additional information, as I am not aware of any such past remarks? You have also stated “And to think he told me I was very talented long ago.”. I do recall making positive comments on your work, an opinion which I maintain. My most recent response to you suggests you display an “ignorance” of the arts, because your objection seems to be focused on an internationally famous artwork undertaken by one of the world’s foremost artists, the said work being on public display within one of the world’s most prominent art museums. You seem to have dismissed the latter facts, which to me at least, suggests you have an ignorance of the arts (despite being an artist and producing artistic works of interest and quality).

You go on to state “He blocked and deleted me before I could copy and send it to you”. I am presuming that you are referring to my singular comment (replicated herein-above), in response to the comment you left on my Facebook wall. Firstly, kindly note that I have not “blocked” you, I have simply unfriended you, which to me is a natural thing to do, given that you are so opposed to my work. The comment to which you claim you could not access, remains on my wall, along with numerous subsequent comments from other parties, all of which are visible to everybody (including yourself), such are my Facebook privacy settings. In-fact, I am obliged to ask the question, why did you befriend me at the outset, why are you reading my profile page and why are you accessing this blog, if you are so offended by my work? You are not obliged to connect with me, so what is your motivation?

At this juncture, in light of the inaccurate and potentially libelous content of this your most recent comment, I have been obliged to pass same to my lawyers for review, with consideration for referral to the appropriate authorities and the prospect of private litigation. I therefore caution you of making further persecutive comments, any of which will be prosecuted against to the fullest extent of the law. May I bring to your attention that your statement “I, and my family have been brutally attacked, by Thomas Hodges”, is not only untrue and thus libelous, but is potentially also in breach of criminal law.

Please take note that I will not simply stand-by and be intimidated or simply accept your continued attacks, without resorting to full recourse. As such, I hope you find your own way forward and I wish you well in doing so.