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ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

Sex Worker, Truth & Archetype, is a documentary media installation that explores the personal lives of sex workers through film and photography. The exhibit challenges society's perception of a sex worker by documenting a worker's reality through intimate video interviews and manipulated photographs that depict each sex worker’s fantasy of self, how sex workers see themselves through basically any personification of culture, morals, values and mythology. To empower witnesses, and ensure the exhibition accurately expresses each sex worker's truth, the documentary used an open-consent form that allowed each witness to vett the audiovisual content that represents them. A soundscape installation explores the inner complexities of the body and mind. By examining stereotype and myth against each worker's truth and archetype, the exhibit challenges the public to redefine who or what is a sex worker.

ARTISTS

“I think I’ll be a sex worker until they put me in a coffin.”

Mandy Goodhandy aka Amanda Taylor Transsexual stand-up comic, Sex Worker & Club owner

“You never let the client take charge. And I never did.”

Mandy Goodhandy aka Amanda Taylor Transsexual stand-up comic, Sex Worker & Club owner

“Any service I did as a sex worker was on top of the sheets.”

Mandy Goodhandy aka Amanda Taylor Transsexual stand-up comic, Sex Worker & Club owner

“We have not labeled yet what trans lovers are, which is fascinating because they’re usually straight men!”

Mandy Goodhandy aka Amanda Taylor Transsexual stand-up comic, Sex Worker & Club owner

“Do not be ashamed of who you are or what you do for a living. Don’t let people treat you like you’re lower than they are because you’re not.”

Mandy Goodhandy aka Amanda Taylor Transsexual stand-up comic, Sex Worker & Club owner

“It’s guilt free sex. Right? It is what it is. It’s basic. It’s get in there, get off and get out.”

Veronica, Elite Companion

“For the women, who might find out that their husband has been seeing escorts I would say,  Next time go with them!”

Veronica, Elite Companion

“We have, unfortunately, poverty and we have wealth.  And the sex industry and sex workers are no different.”

Veronica, Elite Companion

“I’ve made a choice, and its maybe not the same choice that someone else would make but it’s a choice that I’ve made,  and I’m making money at it and doing well at it.”

Veronica, Elite Companion

“It’s always, generally, the balding, you know, grotesque guy who’s actually really good at giving oral!”

Veronica, Elite Companion

“My sister says, ‘What? When they turn over do they just stare at your boobs?’ And I’m like, ‘Well, I hope so!’ I mean, I sold my car to get them”

Dani Dare, Adult Entertainer

“It’s work.  It’s how we afforded our boat.  Its how we paid off the condo.”

Dani Dare, Adult Entertainer

“Who would not want to give their husband a blow job and get paid four hundred dollars for it?”

Dani Dare, Adult Entertainer

“I just couldn’t believe I could still do this at forty.”

Dani Dare, Adult Entertainer

“I’m worth more than $11 an hour. And the government needs to reflect that we are all worth more than $11 an hour.”

Clara, Cachet Ladies Escort

“What is morality? I don’t believe in morality. I believe in ethics.”

Clara, Cachet Ladies Escort

“I really feel blessed that I get to go out with wonderful men, have great sex, give money to musicians on the street, and help a woman who needed some groceries!”

Clara, Cachet Ladies Escort
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PARTICIPATE

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Opening night October 4th, 2014, during Scotiabank Nuit Blanche



Do you have a question you would like to ask a Sex Worker? Or a comment about sex work you want to share? Click on the button to contribute a Japkin-powered video or audio question/comment to this project. Your contribution may be published and shared on-line. We'll do our best to get your question/comment answered by a Sex Worker. Please keep your questions and comments on topic! We've tested Japkin and it works great on all mobile/tablet devices, as well as with your computer web cam or mic. Give it a try!
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SPONSORS

 Toronto Arts Council        nblogo            logo_orange

EXHIBITION DATES & LOCATION

EXHIBITON DATES: October 4th - 23rd, 2014 | Wednesday - Saturday 12pm - 5pm
LOCATION: Beaver Hall Gallery | 29 McCaul Street | Toronto, Ontario | M5T 1V7

CONTACT: Use the form below to send any questions or comments to the artists.

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