Sex and Takeout

Visual Assignment on Sarah Bahbah’s “Sex and Takeout” photo series.

Rachel Elizabeth Cargle – “Sex and Takeout”, 2018, a photo series by Sarah Bahbah.

This paper consists of the examination of two photographs as part of a voyeuristic photo series “Sex and Takeout” by Sarah Bahbah, a Palestinian artist born and raised in Australia. This visual analysis will break down the context, tension, and symbolism of the photographs that perhaps were driven by the artist to arouse emotions and capture attention, especially females through sensual, provocative, and stimulating imagery. Bahbah’s artworks are grouped thematically, revolving around sexuality, love, female independence, and empowerment. In conjunction with a play on food pornography, the photo series aimed to focus on indulgence without guilt when it comes to sex or food. Inspired by childhood traumas and battling with eating disorders, Bahbah envisions promoting body positivity and self-love, while erasing the shame women felt when relishing in their guilty pleasures (Settembre, 2018). However, as I digest further, the context behind the photographs seems to be more than meets the eye. As a female millennial, I resonated and felt a sense of belonging while studying the series in detail. The subtle yet thought-provoking imagery, gave me space to construct my own interpretations, which was what left me clinging to the series.

“Sex and Takeout” features nude women of varying ages, colors, and body shapes, whilst in the comfort of their own skin and home. Rachel Cargle exposes her tummy rolls and stretchmarks but is also seen holding onto her guilty pleasures – a huge chocolate-covered pretzel and wine. It is a violation of societal norms to be indulging in such sinful treats, especially with a body that society does not condone. However, Cargle’s gummy smile radiates and breaks free from the chain of conformity to beauty standards. A warm spotlight shines against Cargle’s body, further accentuating her imperfections and cellulite, yet bringing out her curves and confidence. The photo reveals such an intimate yet familiar experience that many women can relate to. Devouring your favorite food, being naked and vulnerable, and just basking in the moment without care, truly is, out of this world.

Camille Moir-smith – “Sex and Takeout”, 2014, a photo series by Sarah Bahbah.

The second photograph depicts Camille Moir-smith unclothed, hair bundled up with a towel, a cigarette between her fingers, and a hotdog in her other hand. Her face glows as if she had just finished the act of making love in the shower and is replicating the pleasure again through a nicotine rush and a quick carb-loaded fix. Less than a hundred years ago, women who were seen smoking were perceived as deviants who engage in debauchery. However, with the rebranding of cigarettes, it became affiliated with freedom and liberation for women (Matthews, C., 2019). We can draw relations on how similar cigarettes, sex, and food gave women the satisfaction and the feeling of pleasure by releasing the exact same chemical to the brain - dopamine.

By exposing their vulnerabilities and insecurities shows that the women pictured were in places familiar to them. Being bare and surrendering to guilty pleasures like sex and takeout food are normally done in private, in one’s own space where you can show and be your true self. However, what intrigued me was that there was no one else. Just the women, alone. Yet, the artist incorporates the word “sex” into her title.

There is a great gender disparity when it comes to sex. Women have been taught and conditioned that traditional sex revolves around male pleasure and sex ends when they reach orgasm. Thus, it becomes a woman's job to meet and satisfy the sexual expectation of the males. What about women and their sexual gratification? With female pleasures being perceived as accidental or considered secondary to males, it heightens and contributes to the idea perpetuated by society on women being viewed as sexual objects who exist with the purpose to please others instead of themselves. We are evolving into a more liberal society, but female sexual pleasure is still considered taboo, which even leads to some women feeling uncomfortable discussing it. It is contradicting, to say the least, to view masturbation as “normal” and “a common activity” for males but judges it as “immoral” and “slutty” for females. Perhaps, another issue the artist is trying to challenge is the age-long stigma on female masturbation. The countless benefits of masturbation such as improving body confidence and increasing self-esteem are factors that contribute to female empowerment (London, E., 2020). This directly aligns with the art direction and goals visualized by the artist from the beginning.

The photo series “Sex and Takeout” correctly represent the attempts to break away from the judgments and rules of body image and beauty standards set by society, while addressing the problems of gender biasness when it comes to sex. I think it’s definitely food for thought, but by making female masturbation a norm, will the feeling of shame still be attached to women who indulge in sexual gratifications?

Written as a Visual Analysis Paper at the University at Buffalo, 2021.