J03 Anyone for a WhippingE Beryl Cook

The composition presents a female figure in a vertical format, framed by a decorative border of lavender and green. The subject is rendered with bold lines and a flattened perspective characteristic of naive or folk art styles. Her posture is assertive; one arm raised in a gesture that could be interpreted as invitation or challenge, while the other holds what appears to be a riding crop.
The figure’s physical form deviates from conventional beauty standards, displaying a fuller build which contributes to an overall sense of unapologetic self-possession. The attire – a lace bra and suspender belt paired with high-heeled boots – suggests a deliberate construction of femininity that leans into elements of fetishism and dominance. Her expression is marked by a wide, almost exaggerated smile, which could be read as playful or potentially masking underlying complexities.
Behind the figure, a backdrop of vertical lines creates a sense of enclosure or confinement, contrasting with her outward display of confidence. The green hue of this background introduces an element of nature or fecundity, subtly complicating the overtly sexualized presentation.
Subtexts within the work revolve around power dynamics and societal expectations surrounding female sexuality. The combination of vulnerability (exposed lingerie) and control (the riding crop) generates a tension that invites consideration of agency and submission. The figures body type challenges conventional representations of women in art, potentially offering a commentary on beauty standards and self-acceptance. The overall effect is one of provocative ambiguity; the work seems to simultaneously embrace and question established notions of femininity and desire.