LA street artist Lauren YS causes public outrage with their Fitzroy woman in bondage mural

A mural depicting a woman in bondage painted by a Los Angeles-based artist in Fitzroy has sparked hundreds of people to flood the City of Yarra’s inbox with complaints.

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

A mural depicting a woman in bondage gagged and bound with ropes that was painted on a wall in Fitzroy earlier this month has sparked hundreds of complaints, with some slamming the artwork as “distasteful, trashy (and) offensive”.

Los Angeles-based queer street artist Lauren YS, who also goes by “Squid Licker”, is behind the art piece titled “Kinbakubi” which was painted on a building on Cecil St.

The international artist 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.

Hundreds of people have gone to Yarra City Council to complain about the artwork. Picture: Instagram

One person described the piece as “distasteful, trashy, offensive (and) not suited for public”. Picture: Instagram

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”.

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

Yarra City Council has received hundreds of complaints since news spread of the mural, with some from outside the local government area having their say.

The Herald Sun understands the council will hold talks from Monday to determine how it can address community concerns.

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.

The Herald Sun has contacted Lauren YS for comment.

Originally published as LA street artist Lauren YS causes public outrage with their Fitzroy woman in bondage mural