The Art of Christopher Lucas Furminger

Captivated

 This artist is new to me, although this image dates from as far back as 2011. It's a portrayal of bondage that is both academic in quality and erotic. Despite the rather quaint title and painterly style there's no lack of sensuality in the skin tones and shading, the pose speaks for itself.

Blue Socks

 Ah yes, blue socks. But this proudly submissive pose seems to be the opening of a weighty bondage scene to be performed as a formal rite, one comparable with the bestowal of honours at the Palace. The supplicant offers up his own rope and considering this is presented in the style of a respectable painting, it's nice to see that he's sporting an eye catching degree of excitement in his pants as well.

Trussed

This image makes you twist your head in puzzlement and my first reaction was that his hands aren't tied. But if you think about it, this is quite an effective restraint as it stands provided the captive is prevented from accessing the knot. All the more so if the feet-in-the-air position is imposed on him. He looks quite a youthful man and has a impressive muscular thighs which are showcased by the pose.

Wednesday

 The arty approach and frivolous title of this piece allows the artist to dally with a much more weighty matter. The darkly-wooded background is a powerful piece of design that imparts an atmosphere suggestive of black thoughts and isolation, but the subject himself is cast in warm colours of optimism, a state reflected also in his hopeful upward-looking pose. The unconventional noose is alarming at first, but then resolves into something like the halter tethering a slave or captive, rather than an instrument of self-destruction. 

Lock Down

 This image depicts captivities of a different, more tangible kind, the twin restraints of imprisonment and the rules that govern prisoner behaviour, which these two have been caught on the brink of transgressing. The title pre-dates the current era of 'the virus' but that connection now reinforces the sense of a dangerous environment and unfathomable governmental rules.

The foil-wrapped evidence of the prisoners intentions makes a clever contrast with the packets of 'substances' that are the normal currency of illicit prison transactions. Their half-shed prison overalls and matching institutional jock-straps symbolise the prisoners attempt to free and express their inner sexuality, but now leave them exposed as misfits, subject to the disapproval and discipline of the authorities.

Isolation

There's similar issues of isolation and suppressed self in this picture. This man is not a prisoner, but he might as well be as he gazes out of his grey cell at the blue skies beyond. The lowered shorts, suggestive of secret, sexual yearnings, resemble those of boxer with their characteristic, triple waistband. They reveal a matching, chunky bottom, but that conventional portayal of manliness is offset by (barely noticeable) delicate fingers that could almost be feminine, creating an unexpected, tantalising connection with the silky fabric of the shorts.

Adjusting the Jock

There's desirable manliness a-plenty in this image with no confusing identity ambiguities - unless the slightly unusual choice of underwear prompts your suspicions! The upward-looking viewpoint, like that in the opening image, is supremely erotic but in the context of this private moment of adjustment, it seems relegates us to the role of Peeping Tom outsiders. however, it might equally be the wistful observation of the departure ritual being performed by last night's particularly memorable hook-up. 

Tackle

Coming Out

 

Blue Shadow

A similar furtive, fleeting joy is celebrated here, that brief glimpse of unwittingly-exposed torso as a man stretches lazily upwards. This unguarded moment is supplemented for good measure by an unobstructed view of his traditionally styled, white underpants. This is an intimate garment normally intended to be worn but not seen and the artist has made the most of the moment, drawing out it's erotic potential by showing a revealingly moulded, protruding pouch. That's a sign that he's had them on for some time infusing them with his bodily warmth and moisture. The shaping is emphasised by stretch creases on either side and crowned with a tuft of pubic hair. 

Red Shadow