Amy Le Fleur

Perth-based erotic artist Amy le fleur has always been drawn to the beauty and power of the female form. Read our interview with Amy below.

What are three words you would use to describe your art?

Sensual, curious, inspired.

How did you come to be an artist creating erotic and sensual works?

It’s like I never had a choice; ever since I was younger, I always painted the nude female form. I feel drawn to its beauty and power, which I feel is the ultimate source of divinity; as I further my painting practice, I have been drawn to all nudity in that way. It holds so much beauty and curiosity. Sensuality is a form of art in itself, the way it can draw you in. I hope to capture this feeling through my art.

I saw this quote by the art critic Jerry Saltz. He said: “Photographs are about what you see outside yourself. Paintings are about what you see inside yourself.” Is this true of your paintings?

Yes, all my paintings are self-reflection in one way or another. It's the only way I know how to paint.

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For writers, the most important part is ‘showing up’. You sit and write, even if you don’t feel like it. Do you have a process for painting where you decide to sit and paint whatever comes, or do you wait for inspiration?

Sometimes both, it’s harder to paint if I don't have any inspiration or meaning as how I feel is such a big part of my art. In those times, I gravitate towards painting the female form and ideas usually come from there.

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What was the last piece of art you created, and what did it do to you?

The last piece of art I created and finished was a large canvas of nude bodies of all different shapes and skin tones. I painted it over the course of months whilst between studios and it reignited my desire and inspiration to portray the female form from my gaze.

What are your favourite colours to work with and why?

It’s always changing. I love neutrals and skin tones but also deep blues, soft pinks and hints of green.

What would we hear, see and smell if we were a butterfly on the wall and watched you in your artistic element?

Definitely music, maybe Norah Jones or soft soul/jazz. The smell of tea constantly brewing, most likely peppermint or English breakfast and my favourite incense ( yatra ).  And you would see me staring blankly at a canvas for a long time, pulling out colours I love and reading through my favourite art books and vintage Playboy magazines.

Perth is a conservative city full of mining and more mining. How do you navigate being an artist in a city not overly supportive of the arts?

Honestly, it's not something I've given too much thought to. I get so consumed in the actual painting that putting it out there is a distant thought. However, I do dream of exhibiting in New York, Japan or Europe. Our arts culture is growing if you know where to look, but I think persistence is key with anything you love.

We're hellbent on elevating sexual expression. What does freedom of sexual expression look like to you?

To me, it’s having a safe space to express yourself without judgement or restrictions. Sexual expression is such a big part of how we communicate as humans in relationships and with ourselves and is personally a core part of me that without it I wouldn’t be an artist.

If you could invite any four people to dinner (living or past), who would they be?

I actually think about this often and it’s always changing but at this current time, Vincent van Goh, Basquiat, Flea (from Red Hot Chilli Peppers) and Frida Kahlo.