Man Made, a history of pigeonholing women
Throughout history the word ‘muse’ has been associated with women. The female form has been a reoccurring source of inspiration for male artists for centuries. Yet over time the meaning of the word ‘muse’ has become tainted and diluted. Once associated with powerful Greek goddesses, today ‘muse’ infers submission and obedience. A woman who’s purpose it is to be admired for her physical attributes, ‘eye candy’ and little more.
Male minds have repeatedly fashioned idealised versions and fantasies of women. Fantasises that they then project out into the world as absolute truths.
Two industries that shoulder responsibility for disseminating ideas surrounding the way in which women should behave and appear are Art and Advertising.
It is no coincidence that these two institutions have historically been, and still to this day remain dominated by men.
Man Made is a series of photographic images produced with the intention of showcasing the pigeonholing that as befallen women in contemporary history. The works within this collection are conceptual interpretations of the social expectations placed upon an entire gender. Visual metaphors that unpick prolific advertising imagery scrutinising the underlying sexist reductive messages within them.
Presented as predominantly triptychs and diptychs the images portray the chronological transformation of gender stereotypes over time.
Within each set of photographs is a self-portrait composed within a purpose-built structure. This physical frame is representative of the boundaries and limitations faced by females when adhering to prescribed expectations, attitudes and behaviours as a result of their gender.
The artefacts exploited within the images are indicative of commercial products that were marketed in particularly offensive ways towards women during each decade. Drawing attention to the object, subject relationship that was often portrayed within commercial imagery. Products were marketed as necessities to enable women to better assist men. Facilitating the dominance of men over women in the home and wider society.
As a female contemporary artist, it is important that my work is rooted in female experience. This retrospective visual exploration combines the recorded collective experiences of other women to rationalise my own personal experiences of confirming to gender stereotypes.
Using my own body as a tool of expression the images presented are my reaction to the use of the female form within art and advertising imagery. Becoming my own muse taking back control of my own body, how it is represented and viewed.
Male minds have repeatedly fashioned idealised versions and fantasies of women. Fantasises that they then project out into the world as absolute truths.
Two industries that shoulder responsibility for disseminating ideas surrounding the way in which women should behave and appear are Art and Advertising.
It is no coincidence that these two institutions have historically been, and still to this day remain dominated by men.
Man Made is a series of photographic images produced with the intention of showcasing the pigeonholing that as befallen women in contemporary history. The works within this collection are conceptual interpretations of the social expectations placed upon an entire gender. Visual metaphors that unpick prolific advertising imagery scrutinising the underlying sexist reductive messages within them.
Presented as predominantly triptychs and diptychs the images portray the chronological transformation of gender stereotypes over time.
Within each set of photographs is a self-portrait composed within a purpose-built structure. This physical frame is representative of the boundaries and limitations faced by females when adhering to prescribed expectations, attitudes and behaviours as a result of their gender.
The artefacts exploited within the images are indicative of commercial products that were marketed in particularly offensive ways towards women during each decade. Drawing attention to the object, subject relationship that was often portrayed within commercial imagery. Products were marketed as necessities to enable women to better assist men. Facilitating the dominance of men over women in the home and wider society.
As a female contemporary artist, it is important that my work is rooted in female experience. This retrospective visual exploration combines the recorded collective experiences of other women to rationalise my own personal experiences of confirming to gender stereotypes.
Using my own body as a tool of expression the images presented are my reaction to the use of the female form within art and advertising imagery. Becoming my own muse taking back control of my own body, how it is represented and viewed.