Gallery 1114

Parisi’s provocative photographs are part of a collection titled “Les Poupees”, which is French for dolls. The model in Parisi’s photographs is at turns dressed in “merry widow” lingerie or short dresses. In each photograph, her pose is purposefully erotic. The woman has many of the stereotypical trappings of beauty: long hair; makeup, manicured fingernails, bare clothing, curvaceous figure. However; she also has no legs.
   Becki Smith, who is in charge of the exhibitions at Gallery 1114, said she recognizes Parisi’s photographs may stir controversy. “I didn’t like them at first,” Smith said, “but he’s really made me think about my attitude toward the sensuality of the disabled. I think the controversy will bring people in and make them think.”
   The model is dolled up in hair bows, platform shoes and lacy socks. In some photos she is wearing prosthetic legs (her prostheses); in others, she is not.
Do we look at her first as a woman, or as a disabled person or as a sex object?” Smith said. “She is dressed in very erotic ways, but she has no legs. So can we say she is beautiful? She is what we call disabled, but she doesn’t look helpless and pitiful. Instead, she is very sensual.
   Smith said Parisi is taking a very serious look at how women in our culture make themselves look like dolls to look attractive.

Odessa American, 5/1/02

Gibson Gallery

Ron Parisi… (New York City) questions traditional, classic ideals of beauty and body types, and celebrates the vitality and attractiveness of individuals that do not fit those parameters. Parisi’s subject is a woman whose legs end just above the knees and who supports herself on prosthetics. She is photographed in various poses that portray strength, self-confidence and sensuality among other things.

American Identities Catalogue, 2000

Gibson Gallery

Several works in the ‘body’ category question the ideal, contrasting the American obsession with youth and beauty against real individuals and changing attitudes.
   Ron Parisi, New York City, honors a subject who does not fit the mold of classical beauty. His female model supports herself on prosthetic legs in sensual and self- confident poses.

Watertown Daily Times, 2000

Artemisia Gallery

New York artist, Ron Parisi, believes in “the diversity that is mankind.” Sensuality and Disability sets about to portray that ideology. He confronts his audience with stereotypical ideas surrounding sexual ‘attractiveness’ and challenges the social negation directed at the disabled individual. Parisi sets out to break down the barriers that equate physical attractiveness with feelings of self-worth; the social, physical, sexual and economic politics that inevitably align prejudice with the masses….

Gallery Press release

Armory Art Center

“New York City artist Ronald Parisi’s color photograph Sensuality and Disability is perhaps the work most likely to provoke repeat viewings and comment from visitors.
    It portrays a woman whose legs are amputated at the knee. She stands in profile, supported by wooden legs and slim, elegant crutches. She wears a white corset, and her brown hair is swept up into a hairstyle typical of the turn of the turn of the 19th century.
The tilt of her head is proud.

Palm Beach Daily News, October 2002

ABD 18

Aside from Talicia, the only entry that refers to disability is Ron Parisi’s exquisite photograph of his beautiful legless model. If you’re familiar with Parisi’s work you know he shoots Jill Pearce in seductive poses that pull no punches. Dressed in an elegant red ball gown, she looks over her lovely shoulder and seems to be asking, “Well, don’t I have sexual desires just like any other young female?”

Long Beach News

Manhattan Arts Int’l 9th Annual Competition

This year many artists tackled a lot of serious issues. Some dead-on like photographer Ronald Parisi who shows us that eroticism and beauty can be found where, traditionally one would least expect to look for it.

Edward Rubin, Manhattan Arts Magazine 2000