Irina Ionesco

Lately there has been a lot of controversy over 10 yr. old french model Thylane Blondeau. Her photos in the latest issue of French Vogue has been deemed sexually suggestive and inappropriate. When does the expression of art and fashion go too far and become borderline creepy?  The French has always been known to push the envelope when it comes to sexuality and freedom of expression. Personally I do believe there is a limit when it comes to artistic expression. When this expression involves children who are all innocent no matter the ethnicity or culture, people need to start questioning the purpose. 

Thylane Blondeau

French photographer Irina Ionesco is perhaps most famous for her mysterious erotica style photography showcasing her young daughter Eva in the nude. An interesting portrayal of her young daughter from the age of about 5 to 10 years old as a woman-child were depicted in a series of erotic essays in the 1974 exhibition Eloge de Ma Fille. I would best describe this work of art as an innocent struggle between childhood and adolescence. Her work is quite amazing with the lavish styling of a dark dreamy fairytale. You could only imagine the amount of controversy these images caused back then. While it was a time a sexual exploration and freedom, many were shocked at Ionesco's work. 

 Ionesco's young daughter Eva