In March 2018 SESTA/FOSTA (Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act and Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act) was passed. Most people may have noticed censorship at a higher rate on social media, Craigslist taking down their personals section and the large new stories around Backpage closing. However, these acts threaten the rights and lives of legal consensual sex workers. Making it difficult for full-service sex workers to screen clients, cam models to promote their amateur content, and the overall visibility of sex workers of all kinds of social media. for her time is a hint of the lives of sex workers I know and respect. The intimate portraits show bravery and vulnerability of being open as a sex worker. Their lives are stigmatized, and I want to do what I can to show that my friends are powerful, sexy, and deserve a tip and respect for her time. 

Opening Reception
Third Friday, October 18, 6 – 9 PM

Exhibition Dates: October 18 – November 10, 2019

About the Artist:

Samantha Lyn Aasen is an artist adapting to the southwest, as she holds on to her Midwestern mentalities. Her suburban upbringing has her questioning female relationships and societal standards. She looks at reality television, pornography, social media and fashion trends for her research. Samantha identifies herself as a feminist artist. Often she uses lens-based media to form her artwork. Samantha also works in embroidery, beading, performance, web processes, and found objects.

Samantha Lyn Aasen has had exhibitions in Indiana, Arizona, Illinois, Nebraska, Maryland, and the UK. She attended the Feminist Artist Conference Residency in Toronto Canada in 2017 and has taken several workshops at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. She holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Art in Photography from Herron School of Art and Design at Indiana University and a Studio Art MFA with an emphasis in Intermedia from Arizona State University. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis in Gender Diversity at Northcentral University.