Edibles

2017

Archival Inkjet Prints 

Coombe took her inspiration for this series from the work of Hannah Wilke, an American artist and photographer, who said about her series S.O.S (1974-82), ‘I chose gum because it’s the perfect metaphor for [a woman], chew her up, get what you want out of her, throw her out and pop in a new piece’.

Even today, there is an apparent persistence to objectify women in the sex industry via the marketing of edible underwear, and whilst they are available for men, they are more commonly found in a wider assortment of women’s designs and sizes. This trend suggests that the mindset of ‘disposable’ women is still as prominent as it was when Wilke created her series. Candy is something accessible to all, and temporarily enjoyable. Therefore, by using candy to sexualise women, it symbolises their availability and their disposability in a sexual nature in society.