Cheeky at first glance but this artwork has various levels of meaning which challenge that first 'hehe' feeling. 

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Originally the artwork was a study of my deformed spine. Feeling a bit too heavy about it all, I lightened the topic with the bare bum and tan line. Diverting the immediate focus to a superficial distraction gave me a sense of control over it. Life is full of mixed emotions and if art should happen to imitate life than why can't an artwork be both funny and sad and whatever else it ends up meaning to the people that stumble across it?

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If you want to examine it more closely, I have scoliosis (a curved spine). Scoliosis is a medical condition which occurs in  around 3% of people, mostly affecting women. The cause in most people is put down to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. I have two curves in my spine which were supported by wearing a brace as a teenager. For me, surgery to correct the curvature is an option, an option which is becoming more and more appealing as I get older. Scoliosis is more than just back pain and an asymmetric body and although I have learned to embrace my uneven body shape, the physical pain and other symptoms are becoming harder to live with. This painting is a visual ode to the shape the curves make as well as a reference to the forward bend test which is used to diagnose scoliosis (the patient bends forward in a dive like position which reveals a raised side down the length of the back).