LA street artist Lauren YS defends location of Fitzroy mural showing woman in bondage

The US artist behind a mural depicting a woman being bound and gagged painted on a building in Fitzroy has defended the artwork — including its public location — and revealed what inspired it.

Street artist Lauren YS’ mural titled “Kinbakubi” which was painted on a building in Fitzroy has sparked public outcry. Picture: Instagram

The artist behind a mural depicting a person in bondage gagged and bound with ropes that was painted on a building in Fitzroy has revealed what inspired the controversial artwork.

Los Angeles-based queer street artist Lauren YS, who also goes by “Squid Licker”, told the Herald Sun a building tenant asked them to “paint something LGBTQ+ inspired” which motivated the Cecil St art piece titled “Kinbakubi”.

“As a queer artist, I wanted to try painting latex as a technical challenge (and) in homage to the art of shibari,” the artist said.

“The building owner and tenants approved and loved the idea. It is about empowerment and queer selfhood.”

Shibari is a Japanese form of rope bondage.

Los Angeles-based queer street artist Lauren YS has defended her work. Picture: Instagram

Lauren YS said the mural was commissioned by a photographer who specialised in queer safe and sex worker safe photos.

When asked what their response was to comments the artwork was not suitable for a public street, Lauren YS said the laneway was quite difficult to find and they believed Melbourne was a progressive city.

“For example, there is a sex shop a few blocks away on a much higher trafficked street with synthetic boobs in the window,” the artist, who goes by they/them pronouns, said.

“I would not have painted this in a high trafficked area. I had permission and commission.”

The street artist also defended themself against allegations the mural showed “extreme sexualisation”, was “objectifying” and went against consent standards

“This mural shows the least amount of skin of any of my murals. Anyone imposing negative narratives onto it is incorrectly assuming its meaning,” they said.

The mural, which depicts a woman in bondage gagged and bound with ropes, has sparked hundreds of complaints, with some slamming the artwork as “distasteful, trashy (and) offensive”.

It was painted on a wall in Fitzroy earlier this month.

Lauren YS described their work as “a parting gift for Melbourne” in an Instagram post showing off the final product after hours of work.

But for some, the piece was far from a gift, with not-for-profit charity Collective Shout leading a campaign to have the “chilling image” removed, arguing it glamorised violence against women.

Collective Shout director Melinda Tankard Reist said the artwork was “porn-themed, adult sexual fetishes imposed on a nonconsenting audience”.

“It depicts the public humiliation of women at a time when we’re expressing concern from rising rates of violence against women,” she said.

“We’ve just come to the end of domestic and family violence prevention month and to see this – this is the eroticisation of violence against women.”

Several sexual assault survivors have approached Ms Tankard Reist to inform her the mural is “triggering”, with some saying it “makes a mockery of the abuse done to them”.

“We’re pleased the council is investigating, we are pleased to hear that council did not pre-approve this and we look forward to this image coming down” she said.

“It has to be removed for women’s safety and child protection.”

Ms Tankard Reist said more than 1000 people have contacted the council to complain via Collective Shout’s website.

Meanwhile Yarra Residents’ Collective spokesman Adam Promnitz said: “While that artwork may be great in a private space, in the street it is the wrong time and wrong place.”

“Families and members of the public should not be subject to X-rated artwork without consent.”

In addition to Collective Shout’s campaign generating a large community response, a number of other social media posts about the artwork have also caused public outrage.

One person described the piece as “distasteful, trashy, offensive, not suited for public (and) objectifying” in response to a Reddit thread on the matter, while a second commenter labelled it as “senseless and stupid”.

“I’m not a prude but that’s totally inappropriate considering kids will see it and we’ve been trying to raise more awareness about the women victims of (domestic violence) and misogyny in Melbourne due all the deaths,” they said.

A third person added: “This stuff should only be in 18+ places. I can only imagine some parents trying to find an explanation if their child ever asks (what) is going on in that art piece”.

The mural has been branded “porn-themed, adult sexual fetishes”. Picture: Instagram

In English, the artwork’s Japanese title translates to the “the beauty of tight binding”.

Yarra City Council received more than 1000 complaints over the weekend regarding the matter, with some from outside the local government area having their say.

Its Planning Enforcement team continued to investigate the issue on Monday, but remained vague on what “appropriate action” was being taken in response to community concern.

“This matter is between Council and the property owner and occupier,” the spokesman said.

When asked who would foot the bill if the painting was to be removed, the spokesman said: “the onus is on the owner of the property”.

“If you wish to paint a mural on your property, first consult with your local Council to see if you first require a planning permit.”

The mural was “painted on commission at a photo studio”, according to the artist, and was not commissioned by the local council.

In an interview with Canvas Rebel, Lauren YS described the content of their work as “various nodes of the queer and mixed-Asian identity, confronting questions of selfhood and expansiveness”.

“My characters often appear as part-creature or evolved from ancient Chinese mythology, and I love bringing a psychedelic flair to all my work,” they said.

Originally published as LA street artist Lauren YS defends location of Fitzroy mural showing woman in bondage