Diaries of a Bruised Princess

Hobusepea Gallery, 2025
Curated by Kärt Kelder

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Diaries of a Bruised Princess draws visitors into a space filled with personal narratives, elevating the themes of playfulness and the intrinsic human yearning for care. The exhibition comprises nine works that navigate the liminal space between childhood and adulthood, foregrounding issues of mental health and identity formation while underscoring the enduring desire to experience care in every role — whether assumed or imposed.

The motif of play is central to the exhibition – explored both through the innocence of childhood and the intimate practices of adulthood. As children, we play out our hopes and dreams, while in adulthood, “make-believe” becomes a safeguard for our secret thoughts and desires. The difference between a princess dress and a latex costume is not particularly vast — both serve as an escape from the mundane.

In her work, Nõmm employs the supposed naivety of youth while incorporating direct references to BDSM. Through BDSM, she highlights the importance of rules within play, which safeguard against the transformation of dreams into trauma and instead bring the autonomous individual the pleasure and care they crave.

Human nature is complex, and this understanding serves Nõmm as a source of inspiration. With Diaries of a Bruised Princess, she seeks to bridge the childlike longing of safety and the adult pursuit of pleasure, showing how emotional scars can heal through unconventional means. Her exploration of the body, transcends distinctions of gender, nationality, and age, focusing on its need to hold and to be held.