Female sexuality is not the easiest thing to depict in illustration but Polly Nor does a great job doing that. This London-based artist chose a bold and daring style to express her thoughts on modern ladies and their sexuality by drawing girls and their demons in various situations. She uses bright colors and "flat" style to create a cartoonish feel, but her sometimes dark and unsettling themes prove that these works are not for kids.
Fittingly for a 21st-century artist, she gets many of her ideas from funny texts, angry tweets, memes, and selfies. Her inspiration? "Frustration, anxiety and sadness," - says the illustrator. It's no wonder that the internet fell in love with her humorous and open drawings.
With her popularity growing every day, I think it's about time you all met this incredible and unique artist.
More info: Instagram | pollynorstore.co.uk
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The demon inside is taking off their masks, the ones they wear to hide themselves inside. I think it's referring to how humans put on many different faces (whether makeup or personality) to change themselves.
Embracing your demon, accepting them and being aware they are there, but at the same time telling them they're not in charge.
The girl is there looking at her body, seemingly confident but the demon is there, her inner demon, to remind her that she is "not pretty" and "not up to societies standards".
being comfortable with having inner demons. knowing they're a normal part of our psyche.
Sexual desires are perceived as a sin (especially with women D:) so this womas inner demon is there in t he ba k of her mind telling her it is wrong as she is doing it.
I love this one! So joyful- much more The Peaceful Kingdom meets The Garden of Earthly Delights (sans the horror of "sin" - Hieronymus Bosch was a disturbed and guilt ridden sod).
The demons are convincing her to check her social media and keeping her awake, almost as a physical form of insomnia.
I assume that the girl wants to do some thing about her room and lifestyle (notice the empty alcohol bottles, cracked phone and general mess) but her demon js keeping her from doing so. Trapping her from reality.
Follow up to the previous cage drawing. She finally beat the demon, cleaning her room, fixing her lifestyle and going better for it. Being a champion basically.
She embraced her demons and owned it hence the crown. Now her demon is taking her places. Notice a lot of good things happen to bad people because they are often willing to do anything to get to the top.
I think that this picture idolizes the fact that when the girl looks in the mirror, she doesn't truly see her beauty but she sees a reflection of something she doesn't like. Basically resembling poor judgment of herself because she thinks shes ugly when she looks in the mirror and that's what the devil tells her.
This is only the picture that has no demon, but the face on the girl, feels lonely
Once again the demon is showing her her body and making look worse than it is. (You can't see that in the picture but becuase of her expression and how the demon is showing it to her I believe that is what it is trying to convey)
The damn is winking, almost saying "finally gave in, huh? Good, use the makeup to cover the face of yours." (It's an inner demon so I assume it's something mean)
Haha, this makes me think of the demon who lives in my tummy. Not a baby, but constant hunger.
Being overwhelmed by the effects of poor decisions and feeling like there's no way out, that she's trapped.
self judgement. Deamons making you look at and judge yourself constantly
Demons telling you, you're only worth it if you wear brands. Noticing the rose resting in that vodka bottle it seems like she lost interest in Flowers ( irl friends) you have to take responsibilities to while rather owing cacti ( internet friends)
This is when her demon cuts off all the vicious people from her life and saves her from irrelevant monsters those she's too tired to fight. From people who judge her, to a overpowering boyfriend, a b****y friend, worries of future, or guilt.... Her inner demon is at times, all she looks up to when other turn their back on her.
I think this resembles how sometimes when you wake up in the morning, the first thing you think about is the problems you have going on in your life. Or maybe she’s sleeping to avoid her problems, but they are still gonna be there when she wakes up
it probably resembles forced sexual activity, and with the cactuses it kinda let you know how painful it probably is.
This speaks volumes. Push up the breasts, make that a phat a*s and give it a lift, push in that stomach, gotta have a thigh gap, and while doing all of that, jump through the hoops they are holding up and pointing you to. The completely unattainable beauty standards that all women face and the pressure and standards that we hold ourselves to.
Demons that promote the idea that being the same as those around you makes you into greatness.
This is certainly not normal. Have you shown them to your psychiatrist yet? :(
Sorry, I viewed your profile where you claim that you are fighting for Individual Liberty. So this is how you show your respect to liberal art?
Load More Replies...Oh thank you! I just started to think I didn't get the "modern art" thingy and then I saw your comment.
Load More Replies...I wish they had titles as I don't get what most of these are trying to say :/
They do on the website: http://www.pollynor.com/Be-You-But-Better ;)
Load More Replies...These are amazing! I certainly can't relate with each and every one of them, but I get where the artist is coming from. And it's a glorious - honest - place. :) I understand how some find these illustrations disturbing (the truth so often is) but I find it strange that it's the majority here in the comments.
This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's the artist's work of self-expression and whether i like the images or not I'm glad the artist has found catharsis in her work.
vanity, the love of self, solipsism, narcissism, selfishness, fakery; Traits the majority of modern women possess and struggle with, because such behaviours are "trending," through our social media dominant society and s****y celebrity worship, media etc. It's cool to love your self, to post numerous selfies - 'me, me, me,' you're not beautiful if you don't wear tonnes of makeup I.e if you're not faking your beauty you're not good enough. The varying skins lying around suggesting the devil within the woman comes out to craft themselves into someone they're not; deceit and lies. But the woman knows this, and she feels guilt. Perhaps that is why she is portrayed as the devil - she feels guilty for all of her dirty tricks and pleasures. For all her activities which garner no happiness because they're so shallow and empty, she feels a devil; ugly and tainted. Other clips suggest social media is the devil which binds the woman, cages her that she is never truly free as she...
....forms a toxic codependent relationship with social media because of the constant drive and desire to be validated by others by posting constant images of herself and their life to be noticed, and attract attention and praise. The images of fornication, the satisfying of one's lust and giving in to the primal sexual urges which, after the act is done, one is left feeling debased, filthy and somewhat guilty. Women are being socially engineered and manipulated by the media and other vapid sources and idols, turning them into self loathing, unsatisfied, empty husks, deprived of meaningful, nourishing purpose.
Load More Replies...I love these images. Your work is great. I'm really confused by going through a few comments though..people saying they don't get it or that these are scary? Like, seriously? Dear artist, keep up the good work. I related to most of them, I'd say. And I loved the portrayal. :)
I can just picture this person now. Everything a woman does is not "lady like." I get art is art, but this is a little out there.
Yeah I see myself in most of these hahahahahaha muahahahahahaha!
The idea that beauty comes from inside is only half true. A beautiful body is a healthy one. So physical beauty means health, and we all need it.
I think this is a reflection of women's social insecurities, because alone, we always accept and please our demons. The author got it quite well :)
I love the art style, and despite only relating to few, I think they're brilliant. They're a great representation of the artist's time alone, and what goes on underneath their skin. I don't think all art needs to be 100% relatable, and even if you took away the deeper meaning, they're still awesome.
Not how i think of my womanhood. I have demons, but they are not a part of me, more or less they arehabits i dont like, not traits I was born with. I keep them at bay in a constant effort to netter myself. Im beautiful, smart and even at my worst dont look like those caricatures.
I think these are super interesting. Even if they are not the art style I typically enjoy, they were interesting to look at and think about.
I'm a spiritual person and I find these images portraying how negativity takes over your life. Woman with a crown and riding a horse, considers herself as a queen portrays ''Pride '', and other images portray too much self love, vanity, sloth, lust. All these come under 7 deadly sins. These are evil spirits that drive a person away from God. I really appreciate the artist for boldly and realistically portraying this. Proverbs 31:30 says '' Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honours the Lord should be praised ''. I don't really don't know what the artist meant. But this is what I understood. And I find the art stunning.
Soo... Only women can have inner demons? I feel so sorry for the men who aren't allowed to admit that they sometimes struggle too
I think those pictures are very amazing and in the same time very horrible and terrifying IDK how but that's how I felt about them.
Help me to understand please? Why draw "evil" as the real person of modern girl?
I guess don't get it. To me, some of the images seem to demonize things that we should accept as women. Are we supposed to go back to the Scarlett Letter? Great that she can express herself. Just maybe not for me. I'll take a look at her site to see what the titles are.
I think maybe it was them trying to find a use for their gritty art style? They might've drawn it all and then named it to validate it, I've seen some of my peers do that. They draw whatever messed up image is in their head and then try to smooth over the WTF with the title to try to make it deep.
Okay I'm not the artist but lemme clear this up for you all with the best explanation I have. The demon is her "inner" demon so her physical form or outer appearance is shown as a "mask" or "costume". K? Some, if you notice, are similar to others but the rooms are cleaner or the demon Si the one losing. These are the ones where the girls finally beat their inner demons (mental illnesses in a way) and get their life sorted and on track. While its haunting and creepy, I really appreciate the intelligence behind it and the few happy pictures.
I clearly understood the 'mask' style ones, where we put make up and nice clothes on to face the day and cover up any anxieties (demons) we may have, it's the masturbation ones and, well, the other 95% of them that baffle me.
Load More Replies...People tend to dwell more on negative things than on good things. So the mind then becomes obsessed with negative things, with judgments, guilt and anxiety produced by thoughts about the future and so on.
Looks like a bunch of sociopathic people feeling relieved without their masks.
Why is everything about womens' devil, imperfection and wrong things? Like men never do these things....
Maybe because the artist is a woman. And as every artist usually expresses himself, his thoughts, problems, ideas, opinions through his work, women tend to grab capture feminin topics. There is full section of women art in art history. But I can see that these illustrations really worked well on everybody, as almost all the people here seem to be offended.
Load More Replies...The reason most don't get it is that they have to be honest with themselves, and this is what you're all about. Really revealing on top of being revealing, the reactions are part of the art.
excited, i really understand your lifestyle =) so truly, frankly =) You drown what that mean a life of single
This is certainly not normal. Have you shown them to your psychiatrist yet? :(
Sorry, I viewed your profile where you claim that you are fighting for Individual Liberty. So this is how you show your respect to liberal art?
Load More Replies...Oh thank you! I just started to think I didn't get the "modern art" thingy and then I saw your comment.
Load More Replies...I wish they had titles as I don't get what most of these are trying to say :/
They do on the website: http://www.pollynor.com/Be-You-But-Better ;)
Load More Replies...These are amazing! I certainly can't relate with each and every one of them, but I get where the artist is coming from. And it's a glorious - honest - place. :) I understand how some find these illustrations disturbing (the truth so often is) but I find it strange that it's the majority here in the comments.
This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's the artist's work of self-expression and whether i like the images or not I'm glad the artist has found catharsis in her work.
vanity, the love of self, solipsism, narcissism, selfishness, fakery; Traits the majority of modern women possess and struggle with, because such behaviours are "trending," through our social media dominant society and s****y celebrity worship, media etc. It's cool to love your self, to post numerous selfies - 'me, me, me,' you're not beautiful if you don't wear tonnes of makeup I.e if you're not faking your beauty you're not good enough. The varying skins lying around suggesting the devil within the woman comes out to craft themselves into someone they're not; deceit and lies. But the woman knows this, and she feels guilt. Perhaps that is why she is portrayed as the devil - she feels guilty for all of her dirty tricks and pleasures. For all her activities which garner no happiness because they're so shallow and empty, she feels a devil; ugly and tainted. Other clips suggest social media is the devil which binds the woman, cages her that she is never truly free as she...
....forms a toxic codependent relationship with social media because of the constant drive and desire to be validated by others by posting constant images of herself and their life to be noticed, and attract attention and praise. The images of fornication, the satisfying of one's lust and giving in to the primal sexual urges which, after the act is done, one is left feeling debased, filthy and somewhat guilty. Women are being socially engineered and manipulated by the media and other vapid sources and idols, turning them into self loathing, unsatisfied, empty husks, deprived of meaningful, nourishing purpose.
Load More Replies...I love these images. Your work is great. I'm really confused by going through a few comments though..people saying they don't get it or that these are scary? Like, seriously? Dear artist, keep up the good work. I related to most of them, I'd say. And I loved the portrayal. :)
I can just picture this person now. Everything a woman does is not "lady like." I get art is art, but this is a little out there.
Yeah I see myself in most of these hahahahahaha muahahahahahaha!
The idea that beauty comes from inside is only half true. A beautiful body is a healthy one. So physical beauty means health, and we all need it.
I think this is a reflection of women's social insecurities, because alone, we always accept and please our demons. The author got it quite well :)
I love the art style, and despite only relating to few, I think they're brilliant. They're a great representation of the artist's time alone, and what goes on underneath their skin. I don't think all art needs to be 100% relatable, and even if you took away the deeper meaning, they're still awesome.
Not how i think of my womanhood. I have demons, but they are not a part of me, more or less they arehabits i dont like, not traits I was born with. I keep them at bay in a constant effort to netter myself. Im beautiful, smart and even at my worst dont look like those caricatures.
I think these are super interesting. Even if they are not the art style I typically enjoy, they were interesting to look at and think about.
I'm a spiritual person and I find these images portraying how negativity takes over your life. Woman with a crown and riding a horse, considers herself as a queen portrays ''Pride '', and other images portray too much self love, vanity, sloth, lust. All these come under 7 deadly sins. These are evil spirits that drive a person away from God. I really appreciate the artist for boldly and realistically portraying this. Proverbs 31:30 says '' Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honours the Lord should be praised ''. I don't really don't know what the artist meant. But this is what I understood. And I find the art stunning.
Soo... Only women can have inner demons? I feel so sorry for the men who aren't allowed to admit that they sometimes struggle too
I think those pictures are very amazing and in the same time very horrible and terrifying IDK how but that's how I felt about them.
Help me to understand please? Why draw "evil" as the real person of modern girl?
I guess don't get it. To me, some of the images seem to demonize things that we should accept as women. Are we supposed to go back to the Scarlett Letter? Great that she can express herself. Just maybe not for me. I'll take a look at her site to see what the titles are.
I think maybe it was them trying to find a use for their gritty art style? They might've drawn it all and then named it to validate it, I've seen some of my peers do that. They draw whatever messed up image is in their head and then try to smooth over the WTF with the title to try to make it deep.
Okay I'm not the artist but lemme clear this up for you all with the best explanation I have. The demon is her "inner" demon so her physical form or outer appearance is shown as a "mask" or "costume". K? Some, if you notice, are similar to others but the rooms are cleaner or the demon Si the one losing. These are the ones where the girls finally beat their inner demons (mental illnesses in a way) and get their life sorted and on track. While its haunting and creepy, I really appreciate the intelligence behind it and the few happy pictures.
I clearly understood the 'mask' style ones, where we put make up and nice clothes on to face the day and cover up any anxieties (demons) we may have, it's the masturbation ones and, well, the other 95% of them that baffle me.
Load More Replies...People tend to dwell more on negative things than on good things. So the mind then becomes obsessed with negative things, with judgments, guilt and anxiety produced by thoughts about the future and so on.
Looks like a bunch of sociopathic people feeling relieved without their masks.
Why is everything about womens' devil, imperfection and wrong things? Like men never do these things....
Maybe because the artist is a woman. And as every artist usually expresses himself, his thoughts, problems, ideas, opinions through his work, women tend to grab capture feminin topics. There is full section of women art in art history. But I can see that these illustrations really worked well on everybody, as almost all the people here seem to be offended.
Load More Replies...The reason most don't get it is that they have to be honest with themselves, and this is what you're all about. Really revealing on top of being revealing, the reactions are part of the art.
excited, i really understand your lifestyle =) so truly, frankly =) You drown what that mean a life of single