$#@& YOU, PAY ME (2026)
$#@& YOU, PAY ME is a collection by Tashi Palmo, a queer & neurodivergent artist from Vancouver Island, Canada.
This body of work is a social commentary on society’s objectification of the human body, specifically womxn & queer folx, and how, despite corporations and companies of all sizes using sex, the idea of being “sexy” or nudity in any form to sell their products, the very same individuals who choose to monetize their bodies are criminalized and deemed morally reprehensible. Corporations and mass media feel no shame in using these practices to boost their bottom lines, but can’t stand it when we take back our agency as independent individuals.
“Fuck you, Pay Me” represents that very idea put into words. How dare society objectify and use people to sell useless things, but refuse to compensate and/or acknowledge the inherent hypocrisy involved in it all?
The neon pink featured throughout the pieces is a nod to the artist’s own sex work experiences and years of navigating the adult industry.
“Bite-Sized”
(2026) NFS
Bite-Sized featured a prominent male figure, scantily clad in a hot-pink Speedo. The reference photo (Attitude Magazine) reminded me of the typical stances in which many marble statues of Greek Gods are depicted, and I thought it would be fun to modernize the imagery with a background reminiscent of a 1970s living room, disguised as an Art Deco parlour.
16x18” framed to 18x20”
Acrylic Monoprint (acrylic paint, acrylic ink, acrylic pens, metallic pigment)
“Feline”
(2026) NFS
“Feline” is an acrylic monoprint featuring an overload of vibrant pop-art leopard print and a fiery redhead inspired by Joanne Arnold as she appeared in Cavalier magazine in 1954 (the very same year she was also featured as a Playmate for the month of May).
The image itself, as reflected in the original photograph as well, is very evocative of the male fantasies around the idea of “sex kittens” and predatory women (think "Man-eater”). Through this piece, I not only wanted to bring a new light to many of the sex symbols of our past, but also show that in the nearly 80 years since the original publication, not much has changed in the ways in which we commodify, objectify, and use women to sell things.
11x14”
Acrylic Monoprint (acrylic paint, acrylic ink, acrylic pens, metallic pigment)
“Identitties”
(2026) NFS
“Identitties” is a self-portrait by Tashi Palmo Arts that utilizes one of the professional photographs taken by them during their active escorting years. As an individual whose body has been commodified and sought out as an object of desire, they wanted to take back agency over when and where to display that image and chose to use themselves as a reference model for this piece.
12x16”
Acrylic Monoprint (acrylic paint, acrylic ink, acrylic pens, metallic pigment)
“Fantasy”
(2026) NFS
“Fantasy” features a prominent set of slim legs wearing stiletto hot pink heels. This piece reflects the epitome of the stereotypes around the ideas of fantasy and femininity. Although it’s quite rare for people to look and present the way this “ideal” set of legs does, this imagery is often used to sell desirability and “sexiness”.
The juxtaposition of this “ideal” with a background that evokes grunge, distress, and a sort of colour distortion is particularly aimed to make the viewer feel uncomfortable about their observations.
12x16”
Acrylic Monoprint (acrylic paint, acrylic ink, acrylic pens, metallic pigment)