Banana Fruit Bowls by Oliver Cain

UNITEC

Recently exploring the realm of ceramics in reference to his work, Oliver Cain uses queer culture to influence his work in a playful non confronting way. Using well know objects to highlight issues and ideas often reliable by the queer community as well as others. Ultimately making work that can evoke pleasure and trigger thought. Standing up wanting to be seen, hostile and fragile exterior, all close waiting to touch and waiting to fill. Yet the bowl remains empty. Which role is in play and who is doing what. Filled up yet always room for another.

These playful works draw attention to the many experiences that are encountered by homosexual males, as well as openly questioning social constructions of shame, anonymity and sexuality, but in a way that can be viewed as whimsical and lighthearted. Situated in what can sometimes be assumed to be a highly sexualised culture; a culture that can be seen as dangerous and unclean. Added to this that many of these encounters and experiences happen within a public setting. A reflection of gay cruising culture and party culture weighted with broad assumptions put on the community by those from the outside.

The work is glazed in a way that is almost cleansingly clinical compared to the idea of sex or public sexual experiences. Revealing elements of personal experience yet also refusing to give details, holding onto the anonymity of each encounter. A lighthearted way to show a part of many homosexual’s sexual history that can be viewed as negative, problematic and confronting.