My artwork explores gender binaries, and the distinction between identity and biological sex. By overlaying the fimo replications of both male and female reproductive systems over portraits of subjects of those assigned biological sexes, the work demonstrates the assumptions and stereotypes that people project on others due to assumed genders. I have chosen to take portraits of two of my friends whose identities are disconnected from these binaries. I believe that these binaries are false and irrelevant, and should be ignored within society. This is a continuation of my poster, which utilised similar imagery of reproductive systems abstracted in a decorative manner to show the irrelevance of male and female roles and distinctions.
My initial idea for this assignment was to appropriate classical greek and roman sculpture, but abstract the biologically ‘correct’ features of gendered bodies to break down the binary divide. In one experiment I created a small bust which featured both male and female body parts. I enjoyed this, however didn’t know the materials or process well enough to really create the work I had imagined. During my experimenting with sculpey, I made a few half faces along with the bust. These faces led to the idea of perhaps creating masks and then photographing them on various models of various genders. In order to relate this back to my original poster, I began experimenting with creating wearables out of the same reproductive imagery. This proved to be significantly more difficult than I initially thought, so instead I thought to overlay the imagery, manifested in the two reproductive systems made from fimo and painted red, over photographic portraits, which would create a similar effect.
I had a variety of different influences which shaped my process and ideas along the way. My initial influences included the work of Lynda Benglis, Robert Gober and Louise Bourgeois. Each of these different works experimented with morphing both male and female features, playing off the idea of gender.
In terms of the photographic element of my project, I was influenced by various factors. The most influential were the photograph by Robert Mapplethorpe. Mapplethorpe was an American photographer working in the 60s, 70s and 80s, working with subjects including portraiture, nudes, still life and celebrities. Much of his work experiments with gender, identity and sexuality, and he plays with androgyny and the mutating of typical gendered tropes. My personal favourite photographs were the self portraits in which he appeared very feminine, yet obviously still male. Not only were these photographs striking and beautiful, they challenged gender roles and gendered identity, thus being highly influential in my own work. I also looked at some work by Annie Leibovitz as well as high fashion photography, which often plays with androgyny and mixing of typically gendered makeup and clothing, for example some recent Gucci and Vogue shoots and shows. I was also influenced by some pop culture iconography, including the artwork for Grace Jone’s 1981 album ‘Nightclubbing’. On a more artistic level, I also explored a lot of Man Ray’s photography. I really liked the black and white, surrealist nature of his works. Though not traditional portraiture, they capture the essence of the model effectively and beautifully.
Finally, I was also influenced by the more casual look of the disposable camera, instagram photography aesthetic. A lot of young people play with gender and identity in the way they dress and present themselves today, which is often seen in these personal photographs taken at various social gatherings. This type of photography, as well as the more professional photos by Mapplethorpe and Leibovitz capture a very candid, real version of their subjects, as opposed to the highly staged high fashion photographs. This rawness of identity is something I also aimed to capture in my portraits.
gummygunk
gamechangershow
dailybridgerton
2087
vaporwave
titsay
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
origamiaround