Sexual desire and drawings: The rise of the Instagram artist

I have followed erotic art accounts on Instagram for years, the two big ones that stood out for me were the French based artists @regardscoupables and @petitesluxures, and for the benefit of this feature I decided to research into other less known artists in the community. 

Though I made the rookie mistake of typing in #eroticart on Instagram thinking I would discover a plethora of new artists, instead I was hit with a barrage of pornographic images and videos, which led me onto my first question, if these pornographic images are allowed on instagram for all to see, why are erotic art accounts being shut down? Even whilst writing this feature, a post from @regardscoupables was taken down for violating their community guidelines, it was a post featuring female masturbation. My second question, was to find out from these erotic artists why they do what they do, and why they chose Instagram as their platform.

I spoke to four different artists, their art all different, but all with the same purpose. 

Instagram/ @chiaraliki.art

Followers: 1,533 

How did you start making this type of art?

I want to start by saying I love every form of art. I love the provocative, somewhat pushed that can arouse strong emotions in people. I started creating illustrations last year, finding my way just before last Christmas. 

Have you ever had a problem with your work violating Instagrams community guidelines, and are there ways to overcome this?

I have never had a problem with the community guidelines, but its still to early to say, I think..I hope, fingers crossed!

What inspires the work you show on Instagram?

I find inspiration mainly from emotions that I live in my daily life and from what happens around me. But a lot of my inspiration comes from books, movies and photos of other artists. I want to try to illustrate what all people can try or want to say but are too ashamed to.

Is there anything specifically you want your audience to feel when they see your work?

I would like those who look at my creations to think, “wow, this thing happened to me” or “I’ve also had these emotions, so I’m not the only one.

Where do you see your art taking you in the future and why chose Instagram to show your work?

I would love to publish illustrated books, with poems or aphorisms. Or to have short stories illustrated with my works. I believe that showing people what I can do [on Instagram] can widen my horizons and my chances for both professional and personal growth.

Instagram/ @kinkyneedles 

Followers: 15.8k

How did you start making this type of art?

I started almost three years ago, I like to explore new themes and I thought that joining erotic and embroidery together could be funny.

Have you ever had a problem with your work violating Instagrams community guidelines, and are there ways to overcome this?

Not too much. I think IG guidelines respect my images because they are drawings or illustrations, not sexual photos. If they did close my profile, I would start again with another account. 

What inspires the work you show on Instagram?

I’m inspired by myself. My own sexual preferences and fetishes. Of course there are some artists who influence my work: Cocteau, Picasso, Matisse, Hockney…

What’s your preferred medium to work in?

I love to explore different materials and techniques as each one is different and interesting. I like embroidery because it relaxes me, and it’s political. Though, I like to draw because it’s me putting my ideas straight onto paper.

Instagram/ @eroticasanova

Followers: 67.1k

How did you start making this type of art?

I’ve been an artist always, and I’ve always been interested in sexual expression (probably since my 20’s, I’m 46 now). It’s not the only kind of art I do, but it definitely has been a subject thats interesting to me.

Have you ever had a problem with your work violating Instagrams community guidelines, and are there ways to overcome this?

Only a few of my posts have been deleted. But I don’t mind. I think my special drawing technique makes my situation relatively safe. I know there is a narrow point of view about sexuality in social media, and I never understand it: violence and drugs are allowed, but not just plain sexual desire. I don’t think I will ever understand why, so I don’t care. I just do what I want. If my account is deleted… well I’ll see what I do.

What inspires the work you show on Instagram?

In my case: representation of desire. It’s a very private motivation. My desire wants to go out through my art and I’m happy doing it. 

Is there anything you want your audience to feel when they see your work?

I want them to feel amused, excited. I want them to feel in the middle of a sexual atmosphere. I want them to relax and accept the weird feeling of sex suddenly around you. I want them to see beauty in such an intense feeling, and maybe even identifying with that feeling. 

Has sharing your work on Instagram provided you with opportunities you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

Sure. A lot of people see my work. Some business comes with it, good and bad. But I had an artistic career before Instagram, and I’m sure I’ll have one after Instagram as well. 

Instagram/ @ero.ako

Followers: 1k

How did you start marking this type of art?

I think it’s one of my childhood dreams, to draw a “sexy” girl from my imagination, but I used to think I wasn’t talented enough to do that. But now I draw bodies to improve my skills, and I kind of wanted to bring back this forgotten dream at the same time.

Have you ever had a problem with your work violating Instagrams community guidelines, and are there ways to overcome this?

I had a NSFW drawing account some time ago, and I got banned [laughs] the drawings were pretty dirty and not very good, so I don’t really mind. Now I don’t have any problem for now I think it’s because what I draw is “soft” and I’m not famous so my work is like a drop of water into the Instagram ocean.

What inspires the work you show on Instagram?

I follow the most popular erotic artists on Instagram like @jouissance.club, @regards.coupables and @petites.luxures. I wanted to add my own little touch to this erotic landscape with a personal approach.

Is there anything specifically you want your audience to feel when they see your work?

Well at first the aim of this page was really personal. I wanted to practice and get some feedback, but it actually makes me feel good when people come and tell me that my work arouses them.

Has sharing your work on Instagram provided you with opportunities you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

I think I’m not famous enough to have the chance of getting opportunities. But I really do appreciate the feedback and interest from people about what I do.