Arianne Clément Explores Senior Sexuality in “The Art of Aging”

Dolores, 78: “When I take care of the way I look, I feel sexy, but as I age I find that tenderness has become more important.”
Credit: Arianne Clément

In her stunning black-and-white images of senior sexuality, Canadian photographer Arianne Clément has captured moments of intimacy where we, as a society, tend to least expect them: among the elderly. The photographs feature subjects age 70 or older kissing, holding hands, and in various stages of undress. “The Art of Aging” — sensual, touching, and often provocative — was first presented in 2018 at the European Festival of Nude Photography in Arles, France. Later, it won two medals at the Moscow International Photo Awards.

Clément explained the motivation to create her series on senior sexuality in a recent interview with Italian magazine LifeGate:

“Society’s last remaining taboos are nudity and older people’s sexuality. These photos stand in contrast to these fears; the intimacy they reveal is something very close to a state of grace.”

Paul (101) and Christine (88) pose in an expression of intimacy.
Credit: Arianne Clément

Initially, Clément, who is based in Quebec, said that she experienced some trouble finding senior participants willing to openly display their sexuality. But when she posted a photo of two elderly friends, Paul and Christine, engaged in an intimate embrace on social media, it went viral. Soon, new requests to participate began pouring in. Clément told LifeGate:

“It was a very precious exchange. On the one hand, the protagonists had finally conquered the spotlight with great courage, putting their fragility fearlessly on public display. On the other hand, I was observing and learning a totally different way of accepting one’s body. I’m very grateful for their trust and what they taught me.”

Paul (101) and Christine (87) in the image that went viral on social media.
Credit: Arianne Clément

Clément was inspired to initiate the project on senior sexuality following her work with Marie-Berthe Paquette, the lead subject of her earlier series, “100 years, Age of Beauty.” When Clément first began photographing women centenarians, she didn’t have a clear direction. “One thing kept occurring: every single woman I photographed wanted to groom herself to make sure she would look good,” Clément wrote in The Guardian. “This is how it became a story about beauty.”

Marie-Berthe, 102: “I feel beautiful most of the time and when I don’t, I do everything I can to make sure I do.”
Credit: Arianne Clément

At 102, Paquette proved a particularly feisty subject. “She likes to be the center of attention and is willing to do just about everything to make her audience burst out laughing,” Clément wrote. “She told me funny stories, sang and danced. In her portrait, she is dancing in a sexy and provocative way.”

An elderly couple kissing in Ogliastra in Sardinia, Italy.
Credit: Arianne Clément

These days, Clément is working on a new project about the Blue Zones — five areas of the world that experience the highest life expectancy. “I’ve been to Nicoya in Costa Rica and Ogliastra in Sardinia,” Clément told LifeGate. “What struck me most there was the ingrained family structure and natural respect reserved to old people living in the homes of their sons, daughters, grandchildren and cousins who look after them together.”

Canadian photographer Arianne Clément.
Credit: Arianne Clément

You can learn more about Clément’s work, and view images of senior sexuality from various projects, on her website.